Saskatchewan government inspects boats for quagga mussels

Inspection stops were set up in Saskatchewan Friday to check for quagga mussels on boats.

The Saskatchewan government talked this past week about how zebra mussels and quagga mussels are a huge problem in other provinces, especially in the Great Lakes region. The mussels can disrupt ecosystems and clog water intake systems.

• Saskatchewan government cracking down on pesky zebra mussels

This has prompted border guards to watch for contaminated boats entering the province, but on Friday inspection crews checked boats being moved from storage to the lakes.

The Ministry of Environment set up a roadside watercraft inspection near the community of Corrine, Sask., Friday afternoon, on Highway 6. The crewstopped several vehicles.

It's all part of the ministry's aquatic invasive species prevention program. The government says the program is focusing on increased watercraft inspections, disinfecting high-risk watercraft found entering the province and additional education and awareness efforts to protect fish populations.