Report calls on Alberta to do more about invasive species in waterways

A new report from the Alberta Water Council is calling on the provincial government to take further action to prevent more invasive species from entering Alberta's waterways.

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The report was released the same day it was announced whirling disease had been detected in Canada for the first time at Johnson Lake in Banff. 

Whirling disease affects trout and salmon, and can cause infected fish to swim in a whirling pattern and die prematurely.

Stock, bait and more

Jay White, who co-chaired the Aquatic Invasive Species report and sat on the provincial government's whirling disease task force 10 years ago, said there are several ways the parasite can spread, including through fish stocking and bait.

Johnson Lake has not been stocked since 1985. 

"So we're guessing that the parasite was brought in by some other means, so either infected bait, an American fisherman perhaps brought it in on the felt-soled wading boots, or possibly there's some research that shows waterfowl can transport the parasite in their gut content," he said.

Restricted access

The parasite is extremely difficult to contain and access to Johnson Lake has been restricted in order to help prevent its spread. 

"Right off the hop we need a huge, huge public education and awareness campaign," he said. 

"We're already doing a real big 'clean-drain-dry' messaging across the province. So we've done a good job with some of that messaging. We're gonna have to step that up to specifically deal with this particular species."

The disease does not affect humans or other mammals. 

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