Saskatchewan is reminding watercraft owners to remain vigilant against aquatic invasive species after a routine watercraft inspection in Blackstrap Provincial Park found some unwanted visitors.

According to the Government of Saskatchewan, conservation officers stopped a vehicle in the Park on July 17th.

Officers founds zebra mussels, along with standing water and aquatic plant material. The boat was placed under a 30-day quarantine and underwent a decontamination process. The boat had been recently in Lake Ontario. The owner of the boat, an Ontario resident, was charged with transporting a prohibited species under fisheries regulations.

Invasive species, such as zebra mussels, are nearly impossible to remove from a body of water once there established and can cause significant environmental and economic damage.

Residents are encouraged to follow the Clean, Drain and Dry guidelines to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. More information can be found on the government of Canada website.

Conservation officers will continue inspections, enforcement activities and public outreach efforts to protect provincial waterways from invasive species.