The province says inspections, enforcement and detection measures will be expanded ahead of the 2026 boating season to prevent invasive mussels from entering Alberta’s waterways.
Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter said mandatory inspections will run from May 1 to Sept. 30 for anyone entering Alberta with watercraft through eastern and southern border crossings. All motorized and non-motorized boats must stop at open inspection stations. If the nearest station is closed, inspections must be completed within seven days and before launching.
“Invasive mussels destroy ecosystems, threaten shorelines and can cause hundreds of millions in damage,” Hunter said. “Protecting Alberta’s waters is critical to our environment, our economy and our way of life.”
There will be 12 inspection stations across the province this year, part of a broader effort to keep aquatic invasive species out of Alberta and protect jobs, agriculture, wildlife and recreation.
Alberta Invasive Species Council executive director Megan Evans said public awareness and compliance are key.
“It’s critical that all water users understand their role in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive mussels,” she said.
Alberta Irrigation Districts Association chair Richard Phillips said the province’s 11 irrigation districts support the effort and are concerned about the ecological and economic risks posed by invasive species.
The province is funding new roadside decontamination systems designed to remove invasive species from watercraft and support rapid shoreline response if needed. It is also expanding its Conservation K-9 program from one to three teams. The dogs are trained to detect microscopic mussel larvae in hard-to-see areas, helping speed up inspections.
In addition, Alberta is increasing environmental DNA testing to strengthen early detection of invasive species in waterbodies.
In 2025, officials inspected 21,995 boats, an increase of more than 8,400 from 2024, and reported stopping 13 watercraft carrying invasive mussels, all entering from eastern Canada or the United States.
Penalties in Alberta rank among the highest in North America, including fines of $4,200 for failing to stop at an inspection station and $600 for transporting a watercraft without removing the drain plug.
A new inspection station will also be added at the Chief Mountain border crossing in Waterton National Park in partnership with Parks Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency.
Officials said the goal is to prevent invasive mussels from establishing in Alberta waters, where they could cause long-term damage to ecosystems and infrastructure.
