Canada
Ontario lawmakers take on the dreaded Asian carp
Ontario Looks to Pass Its Own Invasive Species Act
The anti-carp toolbox would let government officials forbid importing of Asian carp not thoroughly gutted. This is intended to prevent the possibility of this highly destructive invasive species getting free in Canadian waters. Asian carp have been known to revive while on ice when believed to be dead.
Known popularly as zombie fish, Asian carp have no North American predators and devour huge numbers of native fish. They have overwhelmed U.S.fisheries and rivers along with the Great Lakes. Worldwide, invasive species problems account for $1.4 trillion in damage to farming, environment, and society, according to Dihari Fernando, Invasive Species Centre executive director.
Canadian officials don’t want another invasive species considering the horrible experience with zebra mussels that block pipes and inconvenience people in the water and emerald ash borer. This proposed legislation would give officials more tools to fight those already existing invasive species.
The proposed legislation would:
- give Ontario the tools to ban activities such as possessing and transporting certain invasive species.
- allow the province to intervene earlier and initiate a rapid response, including working with government partners to stop an invasive species from spreading.
- ensure compliance through modernized inspection and enforcement measures.
The law, if passed, would be the first in Canada. Ontario Natural Resources Minister David Orazieti said passage of the bill would be critical to addressing the threats of invasive species to the environment and pose an economic threat as well. Invasive species foul up recreational areas and hurt tourism venues, he said. Ontario commercial and sport fisheries are a multi-million dollar industry.