The number of watercraft inspections has risen in Riding Mountain National Park.
Inspections are required by Manitoba law to make sure aquatic invasive species do not enter uncontaminated waters.
Janelle Laing the Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection Supervisor at the park talks about the reasons why she believes the number of boat inspections was up from previous years.
“I think mostly it’s an increase in visitation and a strictly increase in the number of people using boats. But another thing is that it is the 3rd year of the program so by now people are getting used to the fact that they do have to do it and they understand a little bit more that it’s not just boats, it’s water-related equipment. Anything that basically goes on the water and can hold a person. So that can include a paddleboard, a kayak, and there has just been a lot of media attention around it. People are really starting to get familiar with the program, which is great. I think it has to do with a sheer number of visiting being that this year was Canada 150 year.”
You have until the end of October at least to get watercraft inspected. An inspector can always be found at Parks Canada’s main office in Wasagaming.
