PETERBOROUGH –The Invading Species Awareness Program (ISAP) 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 June 30 to July 9.The purpose of the Regional AIS Landing Blitz is to educate anglers and recreational boaters about the risk and how to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and the need to Clean, Drain, Dry their watercrafts.
The first AIS Blitz event is scheduled for June 30, starting at 9 a.m. at Cobourg Beach. “There will be lots of great opportunities for people to come out and learn about aquatic invasive species,” explains Jeff Berthelette, ISAP’s 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,” explains Berthelette.
Other event dates and locations include:
- CSFL Major League Fishing Canada, Beaverton Harbour, Lake Simcoe: July 1-2, 12 pm – 6 pm
- Camp Wanakita: July 5, 10 am – 2 pm with educational booth
- Anchorage Marina, Apsley: July 8, 9 am to 12 pm with educational booth and boat wash station
- Municipal Dock in Baptiste Village July 8, 4:00 pm -8:00 pm with educational booth and boat wash station
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. To learn more about the Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz, visit glc.org/work/blitz.
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 the watercraft and gear completely between trips and allow wet areas to air dry. Consider CLEANING with hot and/or pressurized water.
For more information on Clean, Drain, Dry and the new boater regulations, visit invadingspecies.com/pathways/boating/
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Jeff Berthelette, ISAP Outreach Liaison
E-mail: jeff_berthelette@ofah.org