MEDIA RELEASE
PETERBOROUGH –The Invading Species Awareness Program is beginning a week-long AIS Blitz in several locations across the province, with similar events occurring across the Great Lakes Basin in neighbouring US jurisdictions running from July 1-10. The purpose of the Regional AIS Landing Blitz is to educate anglers and recreational boaters about the risk and spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and the need to Clean, Drain, Dry their watercrafts.
The first AIS Blitz event is scheduled for July 1, starting at 9 a.m. at Wollaston Lake.
“As part of the Water Steward Program as well as our Mysterysnail Removal and Management Program, volunteers will be at various locations across southern Ontario to assist in outreach,” explains Matt Robbins, ISAP’s Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Liaison. “During the events, volunteers and ISAP staff will be engaging with boaters and other recreationalists about how to Clean, Drain, and Dry their watercrafts.”
Other event dates and locations include:
- Balsam Lake Fishing Tournament: July 2, 12-5 p.m. with educational booth
- Burleigh Falls: July 3, 11-4 p.m. with educational booth
- Duncan McDonald Community Centre Boat Launch (Trenton): July 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with educational booth
- Jack Lake Public Boat Launch: July 9, 8:30-11:30 a.m. with educational booth
BLITZ BACKGROUND INFO
In 2019, Great Lakes States and Provincial natural resource agencies, in cooperation with key partners, implemented a regional Great Lakes AIS outreach event called the Great Lakes Regional AIS “Landing Blitz”. The focus of this initiative was to educate recreational boaters and anglers about invasive species by engaging with them at boat-launches across the Great Lakes. In its first year, the Great Lakes AIS Landing Blitz held events at over 440 locations in the US and Canada.
CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY BACKGROUND INFO
CLEAN any plants, animals, or algae from your watercraft, trailer, and equipment
DRAIN by removing drain plugs (e.g., transom, bilge, motor, live-well, ballast) to allow water to drain from the watercraft
GO ABOVE AND BEYOND: DRY for at least 5 days, CLEAN with pressurized water, and/or DISINFECT with hot water
For more information on Clean, Drain, Dry and the new boater regulations that came into effect as of January 1st, 2022, visit www.invadingspecies.com/pathways/boating/.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Matty Robbins
ISAP Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Liaison
E-mail: matthew_robbins@ofah.org