No inspection, no launch

Starting June 1, all boats, jet skis, kayaks and other watercraft entering via Alberta’s east or south borders must be inspected.

Invasive mussels threaten the water systems that families, farmers and businesses rely on and can cause millions in damages. Alberta is currently 100 per cent free of the tiny invaders but the risk is growing across North America. From clogging irrigation pipes, damaging pumps and disrupting water delivery, zebra and quagga mussels can put the food, farms and livelihoods that Albertans depend on at risk.

Inspectors work to inspect and decontaminate a watercraft. Credit: Alberta Government

As of June 1, it is now mandatory for every boat, whether powered or paddled, entering the province from the east and south to get inspected for invasive mussels or other invasive species. If an inspection station is not open, all watercrafts crossing these high-risk borders must be inspected before launch and within 7 days or face fines up to $4,200.

"It just takes one invasive mussel to cause millions in damages to our waters and waterways -- that’s why mandatory inspections are now required. Alberta’s watercraft inspectors are trained to know where these deceptively small quagga and zebra mussels hide. If you’re coming from the east or the south, you must get your boat inspected – no exceptions and no shortcuts.” — Grant Hunter, Associate Minister of Water and Chair of the Provincial Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force

Until Sept. 30, upon crossing into Alberta from the eastern or southern borders, anyone transporting a watercraft needs to stop at a station for inspection. If the nearest station is closed, inspections are still required within seven days and before launching into any Alberta waterbody.

Inspectors will provide a sticker for watercraft owners to display as proof of inspection. It remains mandatory for anyone travelling with a watercraft to stop when passing an open station, regardless of entry point.

Alberta’s government has also invested in opening 11 watercraft inspection stations this year with increased staff and longer operating hours, more K-9 detection teams and additional mobile decontamination units.

Information on station locations, operating hours and more can be found at alberta.ca/watercraftinspections.

Quick facts:

• Alberta is the first province in Canada to require mandatory inspections for watercraft coming from high-risk areas to protect Alberta jobs, businesses and water infrastructure.

• In 2024, 13,408 watercraft inspections were completed – the most since 2019 – and 15 watercrafts were confirmed positive for invasive mussels.

• About 20 per cent of drivers transporting watercraft attempted to bypass watercraft inspection stations in 2024.

• Anyone crossing via Alberta’s western or northern borders with a motorized or non-motorized watercraft is still required to stop if they’re passing an open inspection station.

• Budget 2025 is investing $18 million over five years to expand Alberta’s aquatic invasive species inspection, detection and rapid response programs.