Making Waves! Grade 4 Curriculum Kit

Invading species are one of the greatest threats to the biodiversity of Ontario's waters, wetlands and woodlands. Originating from other regions of the world, and in the absence of their natural predators or controls, invading species can have devastating effects on native species, habitats and ecosystems.

More than 185 non-indigenous species have become established in the Great Lakes basin. Invading species, such as the zebra mussel, sea lamprey and round goby, are agressive, extremely adaptable and have high reproduction rates enabling them to spread. Unchecked, these invaders will outcompete native fish and wildlife and unbalance natural ecosystems.

Invading species are introduced to Ontario waters through a variety of pathways such as ballast water from foreign shipping, aquarium & horticultural trades, live food fish trades, unauthorized fish introduction's and/or transfers. These species can be further spread into Ontario's inland lakes through recreational activities such as boating, angling, and through the release of live bait.

In 1992 the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, established The Invading Species Awareness Program. Our objectives are to:

• Raise public awareness of invasive species and encourage their participation in preventing their spread.
• Monitor and track the spread of invading species in Ontario waters through citizen reports to the Invading Species Hotline and the Invading Species Watch program
• Conduct research on the impacts and control of invasive species