Conservation K-9 Hilo and handler Cindy Sawchuck inspect a watercraft. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Alberta proposes $18 million to expand fight against invasive species

Mar 7, 2025 | 11:00 AM

The Government of Alberta is continuing its efforts to ensure invasive species stay out of the province.

The 2025 provincial budget proposes spending $18.2 million over five years to expand Alberta’s aquatic invasive species inspection, detection and rapid response programs.

Chair of the Provincial Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force and Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter says Alberta currently has zero zebra mussels, quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species. He believes that it is vitally important to ensure it stays that way.

“We must keep Alberta 100% invasive mussel-free. That’s why, our province will be continuing to step up our fight to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species that threaten our waterways and livelihoods,” says Hunter.

In 2024, the government launched the task force, expanded inspection stations and inspectors, and advocated to the federal government for increased actions.

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More than 13,000 watercraft entering the province were inspected last year, the most since 2019.

READ MORE: New task force to combat invasive mussels at the border

The new funding will increase the number of inspection stations to 11, triple the number of K-9 conservation dog and handler teams, and optimize decontamination stations in Lethbridge and Calgary.

As well, the government plans to fund a dip tank decontamination pilot project and 14 mobile decontamination systems.

The Alberta Government says it imposes the highest fines relating to watercraft inspections in North America:

• $4,200 for failing to stop at an open inspection station.
• $600 for failing to remove a drain plug when transporting a watercraft.

The 2025 watercraft inspection season starts in March.

READ MORE: Alberta announces successful crackdown on invasive mussels

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