Environmental concerns have led to the closure of various lakes and rivers in mountain national parks in Alberta due to the threat of aquatic invasive species (AIS). This development has prompted paddlers to advocate for a more collaborative approach to addressing the issue.
Jasper National Park, along with Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, and Waterton Lakes, will implement a zoning system dividing water bodies into three zones with distinct regulations for water activities. While some popular areas are still accessible to paddlers, the restrictions primarily impact backcountry locations.
Andrew Loughlin, a seasoned whitewater enthusiast based in Jasper for over two decades, expressed disappointment with the new regulations, describing them as disheartening. He emphasized the significance of accessing certain unique locations within the park via boat, which may now be inaccessible.
The decision to impose these restrictions follows the confirmation of whirling disease in Lake Louise, attributed largely to human activity on the lake. This disease, also detected in Banff and Yoho, can cause deformities in young fish species like salmon, whitefish, and trout, leading to significant mortality rates among juvenile fish populations.
Parks Canada has underscored the urgency of taking preventive measures to contain the spread of whirling disease, emphasizing the challenges associated with eradicating invasive species once introduced. The agency has highlighted that AIS are commonly transmitted through watercraft and fishing equipment moved between water bodies.
While certain waterways like the main stem of the Athabasca River remain open for recreational activities, more secluded backcountry routes with challenging rapids are mostly off-limits to watercraft, fishing waders, and windsports. Natural barriers like waterfalls play a role in safeguarding downstream areas from the spread of AIS.
Despite the restrictions, specific water activities like swimming, snorkeling, and fishing without waders are still permitted in designated zones. Parks Canada encourages thorough cleaning, draining, and drying of watercraft and gear to prevent the inadvertent spread of invasive species.
Paddlers, including Matthew Bruce, president of Packraft Canada, have expressed concerns about the impact of these restrictions on their sport and the connection they forge with nature. Bruce emphasized the importance of biosecurity measures and advocated for paddlers to engage constructively with Parks Canada to find viable solutions.
In response to the new policy, paddlers are urged to comply with the regulations while also actively participating in discussions with relevant authorities to contribute to conservation efforts and prevent the proliferation of AIS in national park water bodies.