Mussel findings raise concern

July 8, 2016

July 8, 2016 – Vernon Morning Star

Boats carrying invasive mussels are being found and that has local officials calling for additional resources.

Of the 6,100 boats inspected so far this year in B.C., 240 came from high-risk jurisdictions and eight were infested with adult quagga or zebra mussels.

“What they are finding is a little scary. We’re having close calls,” said Doug Findlater, Okanagan Basin Water Board chairperson, who wants boat inspection stations at the Alberta border expanded.

“The big hole in the net is they are not operating 10 hours a day. We could see someone come through once the station is closed and drop it (boat) into the water,” he said.

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