REGINA - The province is reminding those with watercraft to stop at all provincial watercraft inspection stations to prevent aquatic invasive species entering into Saskatchewan waters.
In a news release Tuesday the province reminds people watercraft inspection is mandatory in Saskatchewan - even if just passing through - and to look for inspection stations when crossing borders or at waterbodies.
They note inspection is required for more than boats, and includes paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, sailboats and jet skis. They ask everyone entering from out of province or moving between waters within the province to follow the “clean, drain, dry” guidelines for watercraft and all related equipment.
This is to prevent the arrival of invasive species like quagga or zebra mussels from entering Saskatchewan's waterways from other jurisdictions and doing significant damage.
In a news release, the province reminds people to remember to:
- Clean. To remove plants, animals and mud from trailers, hulls, motors and fishing equipment using high-pressure hot tap water.
- Drain. To drain all water including bilges and livewells, and flush with hot tap water.
- Dry. To allow all equipment to dry completely, ideally five days prior to travel, while leaving compartments open to dry.
- Pull the plug. Leave plugs out during transport and tilt watercraft when stored to allow the bilge to both drain and dry. It is mandatory to remove all watercraft drain plugs while in transit.
Those who purchase an out-of-province watercraft in the fall and find inspection stations are closed, will need to dry dock the watercraft for the winter.
