First appearance of whirling disease in the Columbia River watershed in BC

On Monday, The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the first appearance of whirling disease in the Columbia River watershed in BC, based on final test results from December 6, 2023.

To prevent further spread, The Columbia River watershed has been declared an infected area (where the reportable aquatic animal diseases are known to occur in Canada).

The rest of BC is declared a buffer area (where the reportable aquatic animal diseases may occur because of a link to an infected area but has not been confirmed).

Establishment of these areas will help prevent the spread of whirling disease through controlling certain movements of fish (live or dead), sediment, and equipment that pose a risk of spreading the disease.

Note: The infected area declaration does not mean that every susceptible finfish population within the Columbia River watershed is infected with whirling disease. Which is why movement controls are put in place, to further protect susceptible populations.

As a result of the new declaration, a domestic movement permit will be required from the CFIA for susceptible species, things and end uses identified as a risk for spread by the Domestic Movement Control Program (DMCP).

A permit is needed if the aquatic animals or equipment will be moved from a:

Declared infected area to a declared buffer area or free area.
Declared buffer area to another declared buffer area or free area,
Declared provisionally-free area to a declared free area, for at least one disease.
There may be domestic and international trade implications, especially for aquatic animals exported for aquaculture purposes.
Recreational and sport fishing, as well as ceremonial use will not require a CFIA permit.

The movement of fish is the leading cause of spread for whirling disease.

If you move finfish or related things domestically, please consult the Domestic Movement Control Program for the latest information.

Monitoring of waterbodies and prevention of spread by boats, fishing gear and transported fish are the most effective ways to reduce the spread of this parasite. Continued prevention of spread will only occur with the active participation of boaters, anglers and others who enjoy B.C.’s streams and lakes.

Current Restrictions:

Parks Canada has closed all bodies of water in British Columbia’s Kootenay and Yoho national parks, and restricted watercraft in Alberta’s Waterton Lakes National Park, to slow the spread of invasive aquatic species.

Under the Canada National Parks Act the maximum penalty for a launching a prohibited boat in the park is $25,000

Mandatory catch and release in Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks

Parks Canada now requires anglers to release all fish in these three national parks in the same place they were caught.

Waterton Lakes National Park:

As of April 1, 2024: all non-motorized watercraft from outside of the park are prohibited from entering water bodies in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Note: Packable or inflatable kayaks, paddleboards, hydrofoils and canoes are considered non-motorized watercraft and are prohibited from entering waterbodies in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Non-motorized watercraft that do not leave park boundaries may qualify for a certification permit to legally launch in park waters. Watercraft owners must take a course on aquatic invasive species and the watercraft must be inspected by Parks Canada staff to qualify for the permit.

In 2019, Parks Canada implemented a mandatory 90-day quarantine program for all motorized and trailed boats.

All motorized and trailered watercraft continue to be required to participate in the park’s 90-day quarantine sealing program before they will be able to enter Upper or Middle Waterton Lake.

Self-certification permit includes:

Fishing equipment
Scuba gear
Inflatable toys and floats (inner tubes, children’s toys).

Fishing:

No longer permitted in flowing waters in the park but will be allowed under current regulations in park lakes.

Yoho National Park:

Closed to watercraft and angling until March 31, 2025

Parks Canada has temporarily closed all access to shorelines and bodies of water in Yoho National Park. All water bodies are closed to watercraft and fishing for the 2024 season.

Prohibited watercraft include but are not limited to kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, inflatable boats, or any other vessel. Fishing and the use of waders and wading boots is prohibited in all waters.

Closure is in response to a confirmed detection of whirling disease in Yoho National Park in October 2023.

Kootenay National Park:

Closed to watercraft and fishing until March 31, 2025

Parks Canada has temporarily closed all access to shorelines and bodies of water in Yoho National Park. All water bodies are closed to watercraft and fishing for the 2024 season.

Prohibited watercraft include but are not limited to kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, inflatable boats, or any other vessel. Fishing and the use of waders and wading boots is prohibited in all waters.

The Radium Hot Springs facility remains open.

What you can do:

The movement of fish, mud, and water can spread whirling disease. Following good practices, such as cleaning, draining, and drying your gear before moving between waterbodies are very important to prevent spread of whirling disease and other invasive species. This also helps to keep the parasite level as low as possible to minimize the impact of this disease on all susceptible finfish species.

Best Practices for preventing the spread of whirling disease:

Never move fish or fish parts from one waterbody to another.
Use fish cleaning stations where available or put fish parts in the local solid waste system. Do not dispose of fish or any fish parts in a kitchen garburator or back into any water body.
Clean, Drain and Dry boats or any equipment (waders, life jackets, kayaks, etc.) before moving between waterbodies.

Clean:

Clean and inspect watercraft, trailers, and all equipment that has been in contact with water or fish. This includes boats, motors, bait buckets, and swim floats.
Remove all mud, sand, and plant material before leaving the shore.
Rinse, scrub, or pressure wash your boat away from storm drains, ditches, or waterways.
Bathe pets before allowing them to enter another water body.

Drain:

Before leaving the shoreline, drain water from watercraft and equipment onto dry land.
Never empty wake boat tanks/ballast water from one waterbody into another

Dry:

Dry the watercraft and/or equipment completely between trips and allow the wet areas to air dry. Allow a minimum of 24 hours of drying time before entering new waters.
Leave compartments open on boats and equipment and sponge out standing water.

Inspection:

When travelling into B.C., all watercrafts must be inspected at Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination stations. To learn more about what is required when bringing a boat to B.C. visit the Province of B.C.’s Invasive Mussel Website.
If you’re bringing your boat from out-of-province, contact the Provincial Program at COS.Aquatic.Invasive.Species@gov.bc.ca to determine if your boat is HIGH-RISK and should be decontaminated for possible aquatic invasive species before launching it in B.C. waters.
Do not launch the boat into any B.C. waters until you have received instruction from a B.C. Provincial Aquatic Invasive Species Inspector.

Don’t Let It Loose:

Be aware of bait restrictions in B.C. Never transport live fish, water, plants, or sediments from one waterbody to another. Do not use trout, whitefish, or salmon parts as cut bait. Never discard fish parts in or near streams and rivers. Dispose of unwanted bait, worms, and fish parts in the trash.

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