Aquatic Invasive Species

Use this checklist in the OPEN-WATER SEASON to help stop the introduction and spread of AIS.

In Manitoba,

• you must be free of AIS.
• drain plugs must be removed when transporting watercraft over land. The exception are plugs used in onboard kitchen or washroom facilities.
• a watercraft is defined as anything designed to transport a person on water and includes canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, Jet SkisŪ, and power boats such as pontoon and fishing boats.
• water-related equipment is equipment that comes into contact with water for example, fishing gear, anchors, bait buckets, ropes, nets, buoys, inflatables, wakeboards, waders, pumps, outboard motors and docks.

Note: if you are uncertain whether you have been in an aquatic invasive species invaded water body, it is recommended to decontaminate the watercraft and all water-related equipment before placing these items into a water body in Manitoba.

 

BEFORE ENTERING A WATER BODY, you need to...

• ensure watercraft and water-related equipment are free of AIS, aquatic plants (e.g., weeds and algae) and mud.
• drain any residual water from the watercraft (e.g., the live well, bilge, motors and compartments) and water-related equipment on land away from the water body. This includes water in bait containers.
• ensure the water-related equipment that was last used in another water body than the one you are entering is dried completely or decontaminated.

Note: if returning to the same water body on the next trip, drying completely or decontamination is not required.

To decontaminate watercraft and water-related equipment you can:

• visit a provincial Watercraft Inspection Station. There is no cost for this service.

OR

• follow the Approved Decontamination Methods for watercraft (Schedule B) and water-related equipment (Schedule C) of the Manitoba Government’s Aquatic Invasive Species Regulation. When choosing this option, watercraft and water-related equipment must also be dried completely before they are placed into another water body.

 

AFTER EXITING A WATER BODY and at the shore, you need to...

• remove AIS and aquatic plants (e.g., weeds and algae) from watercraft and water-related equipment. If you cannot remove the AIS before leaving the shore, you must obtain a Transportation Authorization.
• drain all water from the watercraft (e.g., the live well, bilge, motors and compartments) and water-related equipment.
• open drain plugs/valves and leave them open while transporting watercraft over land. The exception are plugs used in onboard kitchen or washroom facilities.

Reminder: all water-related equipment must be dried completely or decontaminated before it is placed into another water body.

Note: if returning to the same water body on the next trip, drying completely or decontamination is not required.

 

WHEN LEAVING AN AIS CONTROL ZONE, in addition to the exiting steps above, you need to...

• obtain a Transportation Authorization if you cannot remove the AIS before leaving the shore.
• dispose of all remaining bait before leaving the shore.
• decontaminate watercraft and water-related equipment before placing them into another water body or control zone.

 

Note: if returning to the same water body or control zone on the next trip, decontamination is not required.

To decontaminate watercraft and water-related equipment you can:

• visit a provincial Watercraft Inspection Station. There is no cost for this service. OR
• follow the Approved Decontamination Methods (Schedule B and C) of the Manitoba Government’s Aquatic Invasive Species Regulation. When choosing this option, watercraft and water-related equipment must also be dried completely before they are placed into another water body.

SET FINES FOR AIS OFFENCES ARE IN EFFECT YEAR-ROUND AND RANGE FROM $174 TO $2,542 (FOR INDIVIDUALS).

PROTECT MANITOBA’S WATER BODIES FROM AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES (AIS).  BE PART OF THE SOLUTION AND DO YOUR PART - EVERY TIME!

manitoba.ca | 1-866-MANITOBA