Aquatic invasive Species - Freshwater - About
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) put in place a monitoring program for freshwater aquatic invasive species (AIS) in 2018 with the objective of assessing the abundance of invasive pelagic invertebrates currently established in the St. Lawrence River. The program aims to detect new freshwater AIS as quickly as possible, monitor their dispersal, and minimize the risks of their introduction and dispersal through awareness and rapid response. Sampling efforts focus on sites where the risks of introduction are the highest, i.e. marinas and commercial ports, in the St. Lawrence River and three of its tributaries (Richelieu, Saint-François, and Ottawa rivers).
The program monitors six species, including four pelagic crustaceans and veliger larvae of two dreissenid mussels. Data from this program is posted on the Biodiversity application. They are presented in the form of abundances and presence/absence data.
For more information on AIS, please visit our catalogue.