Inspectors work to inspect and decontaminate a watercraft.
All boats, jet skis, kayaks and other watercraft entering via Alberta’s east or south borders must be inspected.
The inspections are intended to stop the spread of invasive mussels that threaten Alberta’s water systems.
“It just takes one invasive mussel to cause millions in damages to our waters and waterways,” said Grant Hunter, chair of the provincial aquatic invasive species task force. “That’s why mandatory inspections are now required.”
Alberta is 100 per cent free of the tiny invaders but the risk is growing across North America.
From clogging irrigation pipes, damaging pumps and disrupting water delivery, zebra and quagga mussels can put the food, farms and livelihoods at risk.
“Alberta’s watercraft inspectors are trained to know where these deceptively small quagga and zebra mussels hide,” Hunter said. “If you’re coming from the east or the south, you must get your boat inspected – no exceptions and no shortcuts.”
As of June 1, it became mandatory for every boat, whether powered or paddled, entering Alberta from the east and south to get inspected for invasive mussels or other invasive species.
If an inspection station is not open, all watercrafts crossing these high-risk borders must be inspected before launch and within seven days or face fines up to $4,200.
Inspectors will provide a sticker for watercraft owners to display as proof of inspection.
It remains mandatory for anyone travelling with a watercraft to stop when passing an open station, regardless of entry point.
Information on station locations, operating hours and more can be found at alberta.ca/watercraftinspections.
In 2024, 13,408 watercraft inspections were completed — the most since 2019 — and 15 watercrafts were confirmed positive for invasive mussels.
About 20 per cent of drivers transporting watercraft attempted to bypass watercraft inspection stations in 2024.
