Sherbrooke – Aquatic invasive species pose a serious threat to Canada’s waters, economy and society. When species are introduced to areas outside their native environment, they can grow quickly, compete with other species and alter habitats, causing serious ecological harm in our waters.
Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, launched the new Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund (AISPF), which will provide $8.75 million in contribution funding over the next five years to fight aquatic invasive species in Canada. One of the projects initially selected for directed funding which started this year, the Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l’environnement du Québec (RNCREQ), will benefit from $644,550 of funding to establish a regional network and provide scientific and technical support for organizations involved in preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.
This network will allow:
- a better collective understanding of issues and threats
- the development of regional action plans to prevent, detect and manage aquatic invasive species
- direction on prevention, eradication and control efforts
- an increase in knowledge sharing
- the updating of data and directories of initiatives, and;
- development of consistent public messaging and intervention strategies
Four regional councils will contribute their expertise to carry out this project on the ground: the Conseil régional de l’environnement des Laurentides, the Conseil régional de l’environnement de la Montérégie, the Conseil régional de l’environnement de l’Estrie and the Conseil régional de l’environnement de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
Funding provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada will make a direct impact towards focusing prevention efforts to fight against aquatic invasive species in the area. Preventing the introduction, establishment, and spread of aquatic invasive species is the most cost-effective way of limiting their harm and contributes to the protection of our waters in the fight against biodiversity loss.
“Aquatic invasive species can wreak havoc on our waters, which is why it is critical that we collectively prevent their introduction and further spread in our waters. Through the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund, the Government of Canada is providing a significant contribution to the Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l’environnement du Québec. These contributions will help establish an important regional network and provide scientific and technical support, both of which are critical to fighting aquatic invasive species.” – Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“To protect our lakes, we must learn about the risks associated with aquatic invasive species, and take the necessary measures, individually and collectively, to avoid being the cause of their spread.”- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada