Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund: Step 1. Priorities

1. Priorities

This Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund supports efforts that will help prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.

Priority will be given to projects to focus on:

• improving relationships with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples and key stakeholders
• involving multiple partners
• providing Canadians with tools to take action on aquatic invasive species
• monitoring and prevention of aquatic invasive species

National priorities

Preference will be given to projects, which do one or more of the following:

• promote national outreach campaigns, such as Clean Drain Dry and Don’t Let it Loose
• use an integrated management approach that considers species, sites and pathways, which aquatic invasive species travel to enter and spread in our waters
• address the threat of aquatic invasive species crossing international borders
• expand Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s geographical and/or pathway coverage for early detection and response
• include activities within the three aquatic invasive species management pillars:
• prevention
• early detection
• response
• are Indigenous led or involve Indigenous partners
• include multiple partners

Regional priorities

In addition to national priorities, preference will also be given to projects to address regional priorities.

Gulf Region (New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island)

Priority will be given to projects that:

• have an ecosystems approach that will contribute to returning ecosystems to their natural state
• have multiple partners, especially Indigenous communities and organizations
• conserve or protect high-value fish and habitats, including:
• species at risk and their habitats
• areas of high socio-economic or cultural value
• areas with high carbon storage value
• areas of high climate resilience, meaning they are more likely to persist
• are carried out in the Saint John and Miramichi watersheds

Maritimes Region (Nova Scotia)

Projects can occur in marine, freshwater or estuarine habitat.

Priority will be given to projects that:

• have an ecosystems approach that will contribute to returning ecosystems to their natural state
• address one or more pathways, which aquatic invasive species travel to enter and spread in our waters
• have multiple partners, especially Indigenous communities and organizations
• conserve or protect high-value fish and habitats, including:
• species at risk and their habitats
• areas of high socio-economic or cultural value
• areas with high carbon storage value
• areas of high climate resilience, meaning they are more likely to persist

Newfoundland and Labrador Region

Priority will be given to projects that:

• raise the public’s awareness of the importance of recognizing, reporting and responding to aquatic invasive species
• incorporate aquatic invasive species education and awareness: Don't Let it Loose
• have an ecosystems approach that will contribute to returning ecosystems to their natural state
• focus on European Green Crab and Invasive Tunicates
• address the threat of aquatic invasive species across borders
• have multiple partners, especially Indigenous communities and organizations

Ontario and Prairie Region (Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan)

Priority will be given to projects that:

• have letters of support from the province identifying their priority species
• involve early detection and response for priority species identified by the respective province
• have multiple partners, especially Indigenous communities and organizations
• help address the aquatic invasive species threat for species at risk and the habitat they depend on
• incorporate aquatic invasive species education and awareness:
• Clean Drain Dry
• Don't Let it Loose

Québec Region

Priority will be given to projects that:

• incorporate aquatic invasive species education and awareness:
• Clean Drain Dry
• Don't Let it Loose
• have an ecosystems approach that will contribute to returning ecosystems to their natural state
• address one or more pathways, which aquatic invasive species travel to enter and spread in our waters
• have multiple partners, especially Indigenous communities and organizations
• conserve or protect high-value fish and habitats, including:
• species at risk and their habitats
• areas of high socio-economic or cultural value
• areas with high carbon storage value or
• areas of high climate resilience, meaning they are likely to persist

Pacific Region (British Columbia and Yukon)

Priority will be given to projects that:

• focus on European Green Crab early detection and response
• have multiple partners, especially Indigenous communities and organizations