Aquatic invasive species in Canada

International Associated acts Canadian aquatic invasive species are all forms of life that traditionally has not been native to Canada's waterways.

Invasive fishes enter the fresh waters of Canada in several ways including drifting, deliberate introduction, accidental release, experimental purposes and, most commonly, through the attachment on international boat hulls.

[1] Invasive species are the second biggest threat to fish and other marine life in Canada behind loss of habitat and degradation.

Large populations of mussels can grow in Canadian fresh waters, and their massive filtering capacity damages the environment for native species.

[5] Zebra mussels are illegal to import due to their ecological impact and damage they cause to boats and infrastructure.

[10] They traveled to Lake Ontario from Eurasia via ballast water from ocean liners, which are transportation passenger ships, and typically spread faster in areas with higher human interference.

[12] [13] Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were first introduced in the United States in the early 1960s for biological control of aquatic plants.

[19] This species can be green, red, or yellow with 2 claws, a saw-like shell, and pointed, hairy back legs.

[24] The vase tunicate can invade due to its ability to reproduce continually, and it can attach to many surfaces including boats and other man-made aquatic infrastructure.

They have caused particular issues for aqua farming in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, where businesses have to invest in removing vase tunicates, and their yields have been reduced.

[24] Increased monitoring of boats and waters to identify vase tunicates is used as a control mechanism to avoid further impacts on the mussel industry in The Maritimes.

[24] Several species of non-native ascidians with known negative impacts to aquaculture operations have been introduced and established to both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Canada.

[27] Golden star tunicates are observed in much of the world though they are invasive to eastern Canada and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

[29] Golden star tunicate can reproduce by free swimming larvae, or by the creation of a fragment which can grow into a full colony.