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What are Invasive Species?

Broadly speaking, an invasive species is an organism (e.g., animals, plants, parasites, viruses etc.) not native to a region that when introduced, either intentionally or accidentally, may out-compete native species for available resources such as food and space.

In many cases, invasive species become successful in their new environments due to their high reproductive rates and absence of native predators and diseases.

Invasive species can have negative economic, social, environmental and human health implications.

What are Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)?

An aquatic invasive species (AIS) can either live in freshwater or marine environments. The majority of the species of concern to Manitoba, such as Zebra Mussels, Spiny Waterflea, Rusty Crayfish, Quagga Mussels and Xenocarps, are freshwater species.

In Manitoba, fish, invertebrates, plants and algae that are designated as AIS are listed in Schedule A of the AIS Regulation.


You can help stop AIS; learn how here.