Clean - Drain - Dry

The following article is condensed from a booklet published by FOCA titled “A Shoreline Owner’s Guide to Invasive Species” and the Ontario Government Boaters’ Action Plan

The Ontario Government on January 1, 2022 has regulated watercraft which includes boats, canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards (SUP) as a possible carrier of invasive species under the Invasive Species Act.

All boaters are now required to take the following steps BEFORE TRANSPORTING OVERLAND any watercraft or boat equipment like a trailer, fishing tackle...

1. Remove or open drain plugs to allow water to drain from the boat or boat equipment.

2. Take REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS to remove all aquatic plants i.e. WEEDS, ANIMALS and ALGAE from any boat, boat equipment, vehicle and trailer.

At this point it must be pointed out that this regulation has no teeth, so if you do not comply there are no fines. The Government is relying on boaters' willingness to "do the right thing" to protect our lakes and waterways from aquatic invasive species. In Loughborough Lake we already have Zebra Mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil and possibly others and once they are in a lake they are impossible to remove and difficult to control. Preventing further invasives from entering our lake is paramount.

It is now ILLEGAL to place a boat into any Ontario body of water if there are any aquatic plants, animals or algae attached to it. This regulation recognizes that it may not be possible to fully remove all plants, animals or algae BUT there are some relatively easy ways to clean your boat and equipment. Note that if you only boat on Loughborough Lake and do not take your boat to any other waterbody you do not have to undertake the cleaning procedures.