Don’t Let It Loose

This campaign educates Albertans about avoiding illegal introduction of invasive species into water bodies.

Overview

Plants and animals that are not native to Alberta can become invasive if they are released into our waters. These species are known as aquatic invasive species and can harm our environment, economy and human health.

Aquatic invasive species legislation

Under the federal Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations, it is illegal to introduce an aquatic species into a body of water where it is not native, unless authorized under federal, provincial or territorial law.

The Fisheries (Alberta) Act regulates the purchase, possession and release of 52 prohibited species in Alberta.

Don’t let it loose

You can help prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species. Never release aquarium pets, water garden plants, live food (example: fish, crabs, mollusks) or live bait into rivers, streams, lakes, ponds or storm sewers. Sport fish may only be released back into the waters from which they were caught (example: catch-and-release) – never move a sport fish from one body of water to another.

Releasing any organism into a body of water is illegal and has the potential to start an invasion, but you can stop it. Stop the spread of aquatic invasive species – don’t let it loose.

Learn how to identify aquatic invasive species in Alberta.

Report aquatic invasive species

Report sightings of aquatic invasive species to the Aquatic Invasive Species Hotline:

Phone: 1-855-336-BOAT (2628)
Email: [email protected]

Connect with us on

Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System

Pets and plants from aquariums, ponds or water gardens

Many animals and plants sold for aquariums and water gardens are not native to Canada. Some owners think that releasing a pet that becomes too large, too difficult to care for or that they no longer want is the most compassionate thing to do. This is not true.

Domestic pets generally do not have the survival skills to live beyond their tank or pond. They can starve to death or may be eaten by predators in the wild. In some cases, they may survive, reproduce and spread, becoming invasive to the area they have been released in. Even if your pet is native to the local environment, it should never be released, as it may be carrying diseases or parasites.

Goldfish

Alberta currently has more than 50 populations of goldfish living throughout the province, which has shown that not only do goldfish have the survival skills, but they are able to thrive as far north as Fort McMurray. Other species, such as black bullhead and rosy-red minnows have also been found in ponds in Alberta.

Invasive goldfish logo – Stop aquatic invasive species: Don’t let it loose

Plants

Fish aren't the only problem! Small pieces or seeds from water garden plants can also thrive and cause an invasion if released. Invasive plants, such as flowering rush and pale yellow iris have been introduced in Alberta as well.

Invasive plants logo – Stop aquatic invasive species: Don’t let it loose

What you should do instead

Be a responsible pet and plant owner and care.

 

  • Contact

    • Ask a friend or someone else if they can adopt your pet or plant. Using social media, community lists or online classified ads may be helpful.
    • Contact the pet store or place where you purchased your pet to see if they can take it back.

    Research other places that may be able to provide a new home for your pet, such as animal shelters, animal sanctuaries, humane societies, science centres, zoos, aquariums, schools or community organizations.

  • Act responsibly

    • Research pets and plants before buying or adopting. Know how large they will get, how long they will live and how much work they entail. Make sure you are willing to fully commit to their lifetime of care. If you see potential issues in caring for them long-term, consider an alternative.
    • Know what pets and plants are legal to own. Only buy them from reputable retailers whose species are properly labelled, especially when buying online.
    • When gardening, select plants that are native to your region. They will be more likely to thrive and are better for local bees, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and birds.
    • Ensure water gardens and ponds are contained with no chance of any species or water escaping into other water systems.
    • Ensure any water released from aquariums, ponds or water gardens is done on land and away from household drains, sewers or other bodies of water.
  • Report

    If you have an animal or plant that may be of concern or have reports of sightings of aquatic invasive species, please contact the Aquatic Invasive Species Hotline.

  • End ownership

    • As a last resort, contact a qualified veterinarian to euthanize your pet in a humane manner. This is far kinder than letting it starve to death in the wild or destroy the homes of native species.
    • If your pet dies, don’t flush it down the toilet. Bury it instead so it can’t spread diseases.
    • Dry and freeze plants in tightly sealed bags before throwing them in the trash. Do not compost them.

Live food

Some people intentionally release live food (example: fish, crabs, mollusks) from grocery stores or fish markets into the wild as an act of compassion or mercy. This can be harmful to both the released animal (which may not survive in the new environment) or to native species if it survives and becomes invasive. Northern Snakehead may have established its first invasive population in North America through a mercy release.

What you should do instead

  • Ensure all of the food you purchase is dead before leaving the store.
  • If you practice compassion or mercy release for religious or cultural reasons, explore alternative methods, such as volunteering with wildlife hospitals that release animals back into their natural environment.
  • Always obtain authorization from your provincial or territorial Introductions and Transfers Committee before moving any plants or animals, including importing into Canada, transporting between provinces and territories, or transferring from one waterbody to another.
Invasive live food/crab logo – Stop aquatic invasive species: Don’t let it loose

Bait

Bait is often used to catch larger fish in recreational fishing. Bait includes, but is not restricted to:

  • bait fish
  • earthworms
  • fish eggs
  • gammarus shrimp
  • larvae, pupae or adults of aquatic insects (example: stonefly, mayfly, caddis fly)
  • leeches
  • maggots
  • meal worms
  • parts of fish
  • terrestrial insects
  • wax worms

No person shall angle using any fish as bait, other than dead bait, dead smelt, dead herring, dead shrimp, dead fish eggs or the skin, fins or eyes of game fish caught by angling.

Bait fish applies to any of the following:

  • Iowa darter (Etheostoma exile)
  • minnows (family Cyprinidae)
  • sticklebacks (family Gasterosteidae)
  • suckers (family Catostomidae)
  • trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus)

The exceptions are that no carp, goldfish or the western silvery minnow can be used as bait. Crayfish cannot be used for bait in Alberta.

Anglers that use dead bait should never dump it or the contents of a bait container into a waterbody other than where it was collected, as this can lead to the introduction of pathogens or diseases.

What you should do instead

  • Always follow Alberta sportfishing regulations regarding bait use.
  • Use artificial bait as a safer alternative when fishing. Remember, dead or frozen bait can carry diseases.
  • Never move live or dead bait from one waterbody to another – it is illegal.
  • Dispose of unused bait, dead fish, fish parts and water or debris from bait buckets in a secure waste disposal area. It is unlawful to dispose of unused bait within 50 metres of waterbodies except in regularly serviced waste disposal receptacles.
Invasive live food/crab logo – Stop aquatic invasive species: Don’t let it loose

Sport fish

Deliberately releasing sport fish without authorization in new waterbodies to create angling opportunities is illegal. Sport fish are often large, predatory or generalist feeders. This means they can have widespread negative impacts on a variety of native species. Even species that are native in some parts of Canada or Alberta can become invasive beyond their natural range.

Some non-native fish that have been illegally moved within Alberta for recreational fishing purposes and have caused significant damage include:

  • northern pike
  • yellow perch

For more information, see Invasive fish species.

What you should do instead

  • Never transfer sport fish from one waterbody to another.
  • Always obtain authorization from your provincial or territorial Introductions and Transfers Committee before moving any plants and animals, including importing into Canada, transporting between provinces and territories or moving from one waterbody to another.

Report sightings of aquatic invasive species to the Aquatic Invasive Species Hotline.

Invasive live food/crab logo – Stop aquatic invasive species: Don’t let it loose

Resources

Series of resources to support the Don't Let It Loose campaign to educate Albertans on the unwanted effects of releasing aquatic invasive species into Alberta waters.

Posters

  • Thumbnail: Don't Let It Loost poster: Common aquarium and pond plants and animals
    Aquarium and pond plants and animals

    Never release aquarium or domestic pond water, plants, dead or live animals into waterbodies. Common aquarium and pond plants and animals can become invasive when released in the wild, potentially causing both ecologic and economic harm.

  • Thumbnail: Don't Let It Loose poster - Common aquaculture plants
    Aquaculture plants

    Common aquaculture plants can become invasive if they are not native to Alberta. Wind can spread seeds beyond your garden which creates new populations that can dominate ecosystems, therefore ruining habitat for native species.

  • Thumbnail: Don't Let It Loose poster - Live food
    Live food

    It is illegal to release fish into waterbodies! Species that are not native to Alberta can become invasive when released in the wild, increasing competition for resources and spreading diseases to native species.

Information sheets for alerts on different species

  • Thumbnail: Alert: Aquatic Invasive Species - Chinese Mystery Snail
    Chinese Mystery Snail alert

    Information on the Chinese mystery snail, which was found for the first time in Alberta in Lake McGregor, in 2019.

    The fact sheet includes a description of the snail, why it is listed as a threat, and how the snails are spread.

  • Thumbnail image of fact sheet
    Common Carp alert

    Information on the Common Carp, which was found for the first time in Alberta in East Pit Lake, in 2024. 

    The fact sheet includes a description of the fish, their impacts on the environment and how you can help prevent the spread.

  • Thumbnail image of fact sheet: ALERT: AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES – Curly Leaf Pondweed
    Curly Leaf Pondweed alert

    Information on curly leaf pondweed, which was confirmed for the first time in the South Saskatchewan River in Medicine Hat in 2024.

    The fact sheet includes a description of the plant, its impact on the environment and how you can help prevent the spread.

  • Image of the posted for New Zealand Mud Snail
    New Zealand Mud Snail alert

    Information on New Zealand mud snails, where have been found in moss (marimo) balls being sold in Alberta, with populations expanding in British Columbia, Montana and Ontario.

    The fact sheet includes a description of the snail, why it is a threat to Alberta and how the snails are spread.

  • Thumbnail: Alert: Aquatic Invasive Species - Oriental Weather Loach
    Oriental Weather Loach alert

    Species was discovered 'for sale' at a major aquarium retailer, that has numerous locations in Alberta. Since 2015, Oriental Weather Loach has been listed under the Fisheries (Alberta) Act as a prohibited species. It is illegal to possess, release, sell or transport this species within the province.

  • Thumbnail: Alert: Aquatic Invasive Species - Yellow Floating Heart
    Yellow Floating Heart alert

    Species was recently detected for the first time in Alberta. Since 2015, Yellow Floating Heart has been listed under the Fisheries (Act) Alberta as a prohibited species. It is illegal to possess, release, sell or transport this species within the province.

  • Zebra mussels alert thumbnail image of poster
    Zebra Mussels alert

    Species was recently found in moss (marimo) balls imported into Canada and the United States and commonly sold at pet or garden retailers. Zebra and quagga mussels are listed under the Fisheries (Alberta) Act as a prohibited species. It is illegal to possess, release, sell or transport these species within the province.

Quick facts

  • Don't Let It Loose quick facts thumbnail
    Quick Facts: Don't Let It Loose

    Never release aquarium or domestic pond water, plants, dead or live animals into waterbodies. Common aquarium and pond plants and animals can  become invasive when released in the wild, altering habitat, increasing competition for limited resources and spreading disease to native species.

  • Eurasian Water Milfoil quick facts thumbnail
    Quick Facts: Eurasian Water Milfoil

    Eurasian water milfoil is an invasive plant species that is native to Eurasia and North Africa. It can form thick, dense mats that decrease oxygen levels, shade native plants and obstruct recreational activities, negatively impacting human activities and native fish and wildlife. Control of Eurasian water milfoil is very difficult once it's established – always clean, drain, dry your gear to prevent the spread!

Infographics

  • Goldfish infographic thumbnail
    Goldfish infographic

    Facts on the problems associated with releasing goldfish in Alberta waterbodies.

  • Prussian carp infographic thumbnail
    Prussian Carp infographic

    Facts on the problems associated with Prussian carp in Alberta waterbodies.