Harsher penalties in place to fight off invasive species in Ontario

The invasive Phragmites has been added to the provincial government’s list banning damaging species from Ontario. Photo by Charlotte McParland, QNet News

By Charlotte McParland 

BELLEVILLE – If you haven’t heard about the wels catfish or golden mussel, it’s probably a good thing because they have just been added to the list of prohibited invasive species in Ontario.

The Ontario government has put new regulations and stricter penalties in place to fight off the arrival and spread of 19 invasive species that are severely threatening the environment.

Under the Invasive Species Act, the government has now banned the import, breeding, purchase and sale of 19 different wildlife species in effort to combat and eradicate them from further harming wildlife.

The government has also initiated penalties associated with these bans, including fines up to $250,000 or one year in jail for those who violate the new rules.

Species such as the wels catfish, the northern snakehead, golden mussel, the European water chestnut, and the common Phragmites have all been added to the list, and are under extreme watch.

Invasive Phragmites can be seen here in Belleville, and across Ontario on the sides of most major roadways, and in swamps.

It has been named one of the worst invasive species in the country and is one of the most difficult to control.

The Ontario government warns citizens against bringing in any of these species and hopes that these preventative measures will bring awareness and combat the further spread of them.

To read more about Phragmites in the area and what you can do, click here.