Rodent rat, parasite-spreading fish, and more join Ont. invasive species list

Rodent rat, parasite-spreading fish, and more join Ont. invasive species list

By Cheryl Santa Maria

Source: msn

1/8/2024

Credit: The Weather Network

As of January 1, 2024, 12 new species have been regulated under the Ontario Invasive Species Act (ISA) to limit their spread within the province.

Under the act, two classes of regulated invasive species are prohibited and restricted. There are new additions under each category this year.

Prohibited species

Under the ISA, it is illegal to import, possess, deposit, release, transport, propagate (breed/grow), buy, sell, lease, or trade prohibited invasive species, according to a statement by the Government of Ontario.

It's important to note that none of the prohibited species have been documented in Ontario ... yet. But officials are taking precautionary steps because should they cross the border they could establish quickly, leading to potentially devastating environmental effects.

As of January 1, 2024, the following species are now prohibited in Ontario:

Ide (fish)

Ide

Mosquitofish, Western