An Educational Campaign to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
Clean Drain Dry was created to help address the problem of invasive species threatening BC’s aquatic and riparian ecosystems, such as streams, lakes, wetlands and the species that rely on them. Select introduced species (plants, fish, and other aquatic organisms) can thrive in new places that lack natural pathogens or predators from it’s environment and rapidly grow.
These organisms can negatively impact the native biodiversity by altering fish/ wildlife habitat and as a result, can reduce fisheries productivity and water quality. Once established, aquatic invasives are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate.
The Clean Drain Dry program empowers you to reduce the spread of invasive species in BC waters by following the clean, drain, dry procedure on watercrafts and equipment.
What Can You Do? Prevention!
Prevention is by far the most cost-effective strategy when it comes to invasive plant management. Prevention means reducing/ cutting out potential pathways of spread (vectors) so invasive plants and animals are less likely get established in new areas. Native flora and fauna benefit from less invasives.
You can practice the simple steps of CleanDrainDry to help protect BCs aquatic and riparian biodiversity.
CLEAN
- Clean plants, animals and mud from their boat and gear.
- Do a visual inspection of the gear to ensure that everything removed is disposed of near the source (invasive aquatic plants can be left on land in the sun to dry out).
DRAIN
- Drain all water from boat and gear onto land. Pull all plugs- it is illegal to transport plugged watercraft into some provinces. This includes all internal compartments, ballast tanks, live wells, bilges, bait buckets, motors etc.
DRY
- Dry all parts of boats and gear completely between trips.
Make sure no water Is left standing.
Use a sponge or towel for hard to dry areas.
Examples of Invasive Aquatic and Riparian Plants in the Coastal ISC Area
Aquatic Invasive Plants
that form thick mats on the surface of the water:
- Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum),
- Parrot’s feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum),
- Japanese wireweed (Sargassum muticum) and,
- Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata)
Riparian and Intertidal Invasive Plants
that can spread onto adjacent lands:
- Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea),
- Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria),
- Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus),
- Knotweeds (Polygonum or Fallopia spp.),
- Salt Meadow Cordgrass (Spartina spp.), and
- Policeman’s Helmet/ Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)
Specific Actions You Can Take
- Learn about invasive plants are in your area and inform others.
- Identification apps like iNaturalist can help identify aquatic invasive species.
- Identification apps like iNaturalist can help identify aquatic invasive species.
- Drain water from boat (including motor, live well, bilge, and transom wells), trailers, tackle, and gear (including waders) before leaving an area.
- Inspect your equipment, dogs, boat, motor and trailer and remove all aquatic plants, plant parts, and visible debris before leaving the area. Dispose of invasive materials responsibly.
- Dispose of submerged aquatic invasive plant material far from water and spread it out so that it can completely dry. For all other plant material, bag and dispose of it at a landfill.
- Report invasive species with one of the suggested options listed here.
Parrots feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) (pictured) and Fragrant Waterlilies grow to form mats of vegetation that increases stagnant water that can suppress diversity and serve as mosquito habitat.
Biofouling at the bottom of marine ships require plenty of maintenance. The invasive Quagga and Zebra mussels have caused excessive biofouling in the great lakes in eastern Canada (none here!).
Resources to Learn More!
Overview of Aquatic Invasives in BC: https://bcinvasives.ca/news/be-invasive-wise-on-the-water/
Invasive Species Council of BC: Factsheet for Water-based Recreation. (August, 2019) https://bcinvasives.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Water_based_recreation_FINAL_08022019.pdf
DFO Green Crab Information: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/profiles-profils/europeangreencrab-crabevert-eng.html
