Here’s what Fuhr announced

The Conservative MPs, above, referred to Kelowna-Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr’s announcement about new funding for the campaign against invasive mussels. Here’s what Fuhr’s press release said:

Aquatic invasive species pose a threat to Canada’s waterways and native species, and have negative economic impacts. The Government of Canada is committed to taking action on aquatic invasive species, including Zebra and Quagga mussels, by investing in the necessary research to understand the threat, and to educate the public on how they can help to prevent the spread.

Today, Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake County, on behalf of the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced that Simon Fraser University

(SFU) will receive $100,000 over four years to conduct research that will help assess the risk of spread and predict the ecological impacts of these non-native mussels in the Okanagan region. With this research, the Okanagan area will be better prepared in case of a mussel invasion and will have the knowledge of where to focus management efforts.

Mr. Fuhr also announced that an additional $400,000 over three years will be invested for education and outreach purposes to complement the current efforts deployed by the Province of British Columbia and other partners within the Okanagan Basin.The Canadian Council on Invasive Species (CCIS) will use this funding to create new and updated signage at boat launches, television commercials and informative articles, as well as online resources. These resources will be beneficial in creating consistent messaging across British Columbia.

Zebra and Quagga mussels have not yet been recorded in British Columbia waters, however, this region is at high risk of invasion due to the relative proximity of established populations and the discovery of these mussels on recreational boats intercepted en route to the Okanagan.