The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO) has released her 2015/2016 Environmental Report, identifying two potential threats to the lakes and rivers in Southwestern Ontario.
Two of the invasive species in the report are Phragmites and Asian Carp.
The Phragmites plant (also known as "common reed") have been found in Lake Huron and the Ausable River in Lambton County.
"Phragmites of course are established here in doing enormous damage," says ECO Dr. Dianne Saxe. "I see they've been labeled 'the nation's worst invasive plant species' by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada."
As stated in the report, Phragmites grows along the shoreline, blocking the water which affects several animal and plant species in the area.
Looking past the shoreline, to the depths of the Great Lakes, Asian Carp threaten the waters.
"If they get established in the Great Lakes [they] threaten to wipe out our fishing industry," says Saxe. "We've had six fertile Grass Carp caught in Lake Erie last year [and] one this year."
Saxe says Asian Carp are reproducing in U.S. waters, so there is a significant concern that they'll make their way into the Great Lakes.
"They will eat everything," says Saxe. "They are incredibly aggressive. I've seen pictures of one jumping out of the water so hard it broke a woman's jaw."
In recognizing the threat that these invasive species pose, Saxe says they're asking the province to take certain steps.
"Prohibit the sale of invasive plants, require boats to be cleaned and inspected before entering new water systems, and ban live bait from protective areas," says Saxe. "That's the most minimal thing they can do."
To view the full Environmental Protection Report, click here.
-With files from Jake Kislinsky
