The movement of watercraft and equipment used in waterbodies with established aquatic invasive species populations is one of the main ways that harmful aquatic invasive species have spread throughout Canada and the United States. Many provinces and states operate watercraft inspection stations along major highways; however, watercrafts that are commercially hauled pose certain challenges to identifying risks from aquatic invasive species. Many new boats are shrink-wrapped or loaded onto transport semis in a way that does not allow access to the entire watercraft and therefore complete inspections cannot be conducted. When boats are unable to be inspected at watercraft inspection stations because of these reasons, arrangements need to be made for additional follow-up, which can create delays and inconveniences for all involved.
Some new boats being transported between manufacturers and dealerships have never been in the water and are only tested indoors with municipal water and therefore do not pose a risk of carrying aquatic invasive species. In contrast, many boats are tested in local lakes prior to being sold and transported and have been found to be carrying invasive mussels or have standing water, which may contain invasive species, larvae or eggs, pathogens, or seeds of harmful aquatic weeds.
In 2020, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan developed the Watercraft Manufacturer Exemption Program to create efficiencies and to increase our ability to accurately assess the risk of new commercially hauled watercrafts. Watercraft manufacturers can submit an application under the exemption program, containing detailed information about storage and testing processes. This information allows program coordinators to determine if boats from the manufacturer are low risk, and therefore exempt from inspection. Commercial vehicles transporting boats from an exempt manufacturer still need to stop at any open inspection station that they encounter. However, once a watercraft inspector can verify the manufacturer with the exemption list, they are released without further delay.
Watercraft Manufacturer Exemption Application
If you have questions about the exemption program, please call the Ministry of Environment Client Service Office at 1-800-567-4224.