Decontamination Protocol For Industrial and Construction Operations Lisa Schaubel Decontamination Specialist Fish and Wildlife Policy Branch Alberta Environment and Parks November 16th 2018 Quagga and Zebra mussels Threat 2016 17 mussel-fouled boats intercepted at boat inspection stations, 3 from US 14 from eastern Canada High risk watercraft are decontaminated by ASERT and Fish & Wildlife Policy AIS staff Eurasian watermilfoil Goldfish and Prussian carp Confirmed in numerous stormwater and recreational ponds Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) Confirmed in 12 locations throughout the province Phragmites invasive subspecies (Phragmites australis australis) Confirmed 2016 Whirling Disease Confirmed First detected in the province in August of 2016 at Johnson Lake in Banff National Park by Parks Canada Found 2016 in multiple locations throughout the province Bow, Oldman, Red Deer and North Saskatchewan River watersheds

Major provincial concerns include: Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and fish disease pose a significant risk to Alberta’s native fish species and their habitat as well as infrastructure, tourism and local communities. Major provincial concerns include: Threat Quagga and Zebra mussels Eurasian watermilfoil Confirmed presence Goldfish and Prussian carp Flowering rush Phragmites (Phragmites australis australis) Whirling Disease Invasive Definition - Quagga and Zebra mussels Threat Distribute food chain, increase algal blooms Eurasian watermilfoil Reduces oxygen levels 2016 17 mussel-fouled boats intercepted at boat inspection stations, 3 from US 14 from eastern Canada High risk watercraft are decontaminated by ASERT and Fish & Wildlife Policy AIS staff CONFIRMED Goldfish and Prussian carp Confirmed in numerous stormwater and recreational ponds Competitor and predator of native fish and/or eggs Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) Confirmed in 12 locations throughout the province Interferes with shoreline habitat Phragmites invasive subspecies (Phragmites australis australis) Confirmed 2016 Outcompete native plants for water and nutrients Whirling Disease Confirmed First detected in the province in August of 2016 at Johnson Lake in Banff National Park by Parks Canada Found 2016 in multiple locations throughout the province Bow, Oldman, Red Deer and North Saskatchewan River watersheds Fish disease that affects cartilage causing spinal deformities

What is whirling disease? Whirling Disease is caused by the fish parasite Myxobolus cerebralis This parasite only affects salmonid fish like salmon, trout, and whitefish Whirling disease does not pose a risk to human health or other wildlife. Even if you eat infected fish M. cerebralis parasite has a complex two-host life cycle - Salmonidae is a family of ray-finned fish Whirling disease has only been diagnosed in salmonids and is not know to impact other species of fish, wildlife or humans 1 - Myxospores are ingested by Tubifex tubifex worms, myoxospores are thought to be very hardy, they survive passage through the GI tract (pike, mallard) and are thought to be able to survive freezing and drying, although more research needs to be done to confirm their environmental tolerances. 2- Myoxospores reproduce in the gut of tubifex worms once ingested 3- The sexual or infectious stage of the spore is the TAM or triactinomyxon, they look like grappling hooks and can float in the water once expelled by worms, TAM’s are released by worms 60-90 days after they initially ingest the myoxospores, infected tubificids can release triactinomyxons for at least a year after infection. 4- Fish can become infected with whirling disease by eating an infected worm or by coming in contact with TAMs, TAM’s can infect fish via contact with the skin, penetration by TAMs takes only a few seconds after initial exposure. 5 - Within five minutes, TAM’s release a sac of germ cells called a sporoplasm has entered the fish epidermis, and within a few hours, the sporoplasm splits into individual cells that will spread through the fish including the cartilage on which they feed, this can cause the clinical symptoms of whirling disease like the blackened tail, crooked tail or slopped forehead. 6 – The final stage of the lifecycle within the fish is the creation of the myxospore by the sporoplasm which are then released into the environment when a fish decomposes or is eaten.

Where did It come from? WD Global Distribution Native to Europe Introduced to US in 1950’s Spread across 25 states Western US 1990’s Whirling Disease monitoring in AB 1997-2000 First detection in Canada in Johnson Lake, Banff 2016 Research suggests it is most commonly introduced by the movement of infected fish, via fish culture practices or anglers

Why does whirling disease matter? Tubifex Worms Why does whirling disease matter? TAMs on Fish Fin Alberta Fisheries are managed for: Productive and sustainable fish populations Fish provide economic, social and environmental benefits Whirling disease and invasive species concerns: Potential impacts on salmonid fish populations No treatment options for whirling disease affected waterbodies Potential loss of habitat by aggressive invasive Mitigation and management could reduce the spread Myoxospore Myxospores are extremely tough: "it was shown that Myxobolus cerebralis spores can tolerate freezing at −20°C for at least 3 months, aging in mud at 13°C for at least 5 months, and passage through the guts of northern pike Esox lucius or mallards Anas platyrhynchos without loss of infectivity" to worms.[10] Triactinomyxons are much shorter-lived, surviving 34 days or less, depending on temperature.[11]  Some research states spores can live for 20-30 years. Myoxospore photo courtesy of Nikolina Kovacevic, Alberta grown M. cerebralis myxospores, H&E Stain, 400X magnification Infection rates depend on: Fish Young fish (<5months) are most vulnerable, with mortality rates reaching up to 90 per cent. Depends on where and when they spawn. Fish are most vulnerable if hatch during peak release of TAMs (depend on water temp – usu. June – Sept) Some strains of fish are more resistant than others, even within species;[13] using resistant strains may help reduce the incidence and severity of whirling disease in aquaculture. There is also some circumstantial evidence that fish populations can develop resistance to the disease over time.[29]

What is Alberta doing? Whirling Disease Program Informed By: Three point plan Distribution – where is Whirling Disease Education – public messaging and direction to prevent spread Mitigation – actions to reduce risk of whirling disease spreading to wild populations Informed By: Experts Jurisdictional Scan Consulted Stakeholders The immediate objective for whirling disease management in Alberta’s wild fish populations is detection and delineation, and where possible containment. Sampling 2016 -The initial sampling program in Alberta was designed to detect and delineate the presence of whirling disease within wild trout and mountain whitefish range along the East Slopes from the Crowsnest Pass to Grande Prairie. Sampling 2017 - disease-freedom testing will occur throughout the East Slopes of Alberta. Disease-freedom testing is designed to detect M. cerebralis if present at a low prevalence. Disease-freedom testing requires extensive sampling to ensure positives are detected even if present at a low abundance in the population. Confidently making the distinction between negative and positive areas within the province will allow AEP to manage vectors of disease transfer and mitigate additional spread of the whirling disease parasite. a stocked pond surveillance program will occur to test fish, water and sediment samples from a selection of stocked ponds in Alberta. AEP’s ability to identify and predict the location of high-risk stocked ponds on the landscape will be essential for managing the risk of spreading M. cerebralis from stocked to native populations. Unintentional transfer of M. cerebralis can occur from stocked ponds to nearby waterbodies in areas with hydrogeological connections, floodplain connectivity or high usage. As part of AEP’s surveillance program, samples will be collected from stocked ponds presumed to be positive based on the aquaculture “trace-out” to verify the parasite presence or absence in these ponds. Fish, water and sediment samples will be collected at these sites to test for all stages of the parasite throughout its lifecycle. If the parasite is found to complete its lifecycle in ponds stocked with presumptively positive fish, these waterbodies may act as hot spots for spreading and perpetuating the disease on the landscape.

Current Distribution - CFIA Confirmed - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Red Deer River Watershed Bow River Watershed Oldman River Watershed North Saskatchewan River Watershed Whirling disease has not been detected in all water bodies and tributaries of the declared watershed. According to CFIA guidelines once whirling disease is detected in any portion of the watershed he entire watershed in declared infected. On February 10, 2017, the CFIA declared the Bow River watershed infected with whirling disease. On May 1, 2017, the CFIA declared the Oldman River watershed infected with whirling disease. On June 23, 2017, the CFIA declared the Red Deer River watershed infected with whirling disease. The remainder of the province of Alberta is considered a buffer zone. On December 22, 2017, the CFIA declared the North Saskatchewan River watershed a buffer area for whirling disease separate from the rest of Alberta that is already a buffer area. [whirling disease was detected in the NSRW but the establishment of the disease has not been confirmed in the NSRW]

Current Distribution – Provincial -This is the decontamination risk zone map produced by the GoA WD program. -The same watersheds declared infected by the CFIA are outlined on this map and the red area is places where WD has been detected, these red polygons or places are HUC’s, Hydrological Unit Codes, which are small sub-units of a watershed that can be used for management. I’s important to remember that according to CFIA guidelines once whirling disease is detected in any portion of the watershed he entire watershed in declared infected. However Whirling disease has not been detected in all water bodies and tributaries of the declared watershed. Alberta is not a lost cause when it comes to whirling disease, WD has not been detected in plenty of waterbodies within the CFIA declared watersheds which is why it’s so important to CDD

Mitigation of spread Prior During After Decontamination primarily focussed on mussel introductions Cleaning and disinfecting gear was a best practice During Early detection, Rapid Response Emergency response initiated to determine the extent Interim decontamination guidelines were produced by staff with specialities in fish health and disease After Decontamination Protocol development Created a multi-departmental Task Team that encompassed various field staff that work in or near water including emergency response Policy (2017) is supported by the Alberta Fisheries (Ministerial) Regulations Prior Decontamination primarily focussed on mussel introductions Decontamination for mussels uses hot water wash systems (60 °C) but trained staff was limited Clean, Drain, Dry campaign was primary decontamination but not enforced Cleaning and disinfecting gear was a best practice During Extent Interm guidelines were used during the whiling disease sampling to ensure that government staff were not vectors transporting the disease Decontamination was mandatory for all staff collecting whirling disease samples and for all fisheries staff in southern Alberta By Nov 2016: 11 sites confirmed within Banff, 6 in the wild with the province and 5 private aquaculture facilities After After the Emergency Response the a 3 part action plan was created Distribution, Education, Mitigation Public outreach and education efforts for Whirling Disease will be incorporated into the existing ‘Clean, Drain, Dry’ campaign, which includes boat launch signs, videos, radio PSAs, print ads, social media, presentations and attendance at boat shows and other related events. Leaned on existing AIS staff, protocols, policy and campaigns Decontamination Protocol was developed and accepted as Policy in AEP Created a multi-departmental Task Team that encompassed various field staff that work in or near water including emergency response Significant public outreach and education efforts for whirling disease incorporated the existing “Clean, Drain, Dry” campaign . Alberta Fisheries (Ministerial) Regulations Existing legislation, regulations and policy can be beneficial to Whirling Disease containment efforts. In 2016, the Regulations were amended to: Make it illegal to have the drain plug installed in a watercraft while in transport (Section 6.1) Mandatory reporting of AIS (Section 6.2(1)) Non-release of subject water into a waterbody (Section 2.3) Ability to specify terms and conditions on how fishing gear and equipment may be used (Section 3(1)) Mirrored with initiatives such as Pull the Plug!, Clean + Drain + Dry Your Boat and Mandatory boat Inspection stations. Made it so that the adherence to a Decontamination Protocol could be made mandatory for any working under a government Licence, Approval or Contract

Decontamination Protocol Decontamination Protocol for Watercraft and Equipment includes: Decontamination Protocol Risk Map Quick Reference Guide Equipment List Modelling the way in preventing the spread of AIS & WD from in water work Check it out online: https://www.alberta.ca/stop-whirling-disease.aspx Decontamination Protocol for Watercraft and Equipment Importance of preventing the spread of WD becomes clear when we look at lessons learned from other jurisdictions, when WD was first detected in Colorado, state fisheries workers were deployed to sample fish from waters across the state. It later became clear that the staff conducting the monitoring became a primary vector of the spread of M. cerebralis to previously uninfected waters. Prior to WD no decon protocols in place for mitigating spread Protocol was developed by multi-agency task team, the protocol is consistent with current standards and research.

Objectives of the Protocol Provide a protocol that uses best available technologies, information and feedback from field staff and other jurisdictions. Mandatory for all field staff working in or near water including: Government staff Government contractors (upcoming) Government License and Approval holders (upcoming) This is an update to the governments current process and supports existing provincial policy Provide a protocol that uses best available technologies, information and feedback from field staff and other jurisdictions. Safe, Efficient and Effective Economically viable, sustainable and practical Minimize harm to the environment Minimize deleterious effects on equipment Focussed on whirling disease but principles work for all AIS The Decontamination Protocol for Watercraft and Equipment became policy and mandatory for all government staff and contractors working in or near water and soon be mandatory industry and stakeholders to complete when working with approvals under then Water Act, Public Lands Act, AER and Fisheries Research Licences as well as Government contracts, including those with Alberta Transportation. Upcoming will be work being completed in Provincial Parks and with Wildlife collection permits We started the implementation The Government of Alberta staff are held to a higher standard and must model the desired behaviours. The Protocol provides a necessary measures to ensure there is not inadvertent spreading of whirling disease in provincial waters.

Decontamination Protocol Upcoming additions Decontamination Instructions for Industrial and Construction Operations Provides users detailed instructions on how to meet the intent of the Protocol Decontamination level required is dependent on the risk zone where the work is completed Decontamination Record A template to document and track the decontamination completed prior or after work in or near water.

Decontamination Protocol Upcoming Conditions Drafted Condition example: Disposition Holder must follow the Decontamination Instructions for Industrial Operations in the “Decontamination Protocol for Watercraft and Equipment”, as amended from time to time, for all equipment that are used within the bed of a watercourse or waterbody: prior to operations; during operations when moving across a HUC 6 watershed boundary indicated on the “Decontamination Risk Map” or the “Hydrological Unit Code Level 6 (HUC 6) Shape File” and upon the completion of operations. The Disposition Holder must provide a completed Decontamination Record form as decontamination to the regulatory body upon request.

Use - Risk zone Incorporates 3 levels of decontamination dependent on the risk of spread Coded geographically across province Low risk = White zone Medium risk = Yellow zone Red zone = High risk Zones delineated by Hydrological Unit Codes (HUC) HUC boundaries indicate when decontamination is necessary Represent watershed boundaries (blue lines) HUC size used based on risk and natural movement Decontamination must be completed when changing risk zone or crossing a HUC boundary White zone: Reduced risk of introduction: Waters with no fish susceptible to Whirling Disease; No known high profile AIS or fish disease present; or low activity/use Yellow zone: Moderate-High risk: Waters susceptible to AIS or fish disease; high activity/use; or close to high population bases Red zone: High risk: fish disease or AIS present Based on 2016 and 2017 wild sample results and samples from irrigation cannels HUC Hierarchal from 2 to 12 White & Yellow = HUC 6 Red = HUC 10 or 12

Use – Instructions Section 1 Section 2 Preventative measures to reduce the risk of spreading disease and invasive Measures to reduce the decontamination required Section 2 Decontamination methods and flow chart Level 1: Clean, Drain, Dry Level 3: Decontamination hub

Use – Instructions

Use – Levels Level 1 Level 3 Hierarchal from 2 to 12 Location Field site Clean, Drain, Dry Clean off ALL organic debris, mud, sediment and fish parts by scrubbing or with pressurized water Drain all native water from equipment Dry all wet areas Level 3 Location Decontamination hub: Secure space without drainage Treatment 90 °C for 10 minutes – steam, spray, submerge -20 °C for 7 days Disinfection treatment – bleach or QAC Rinse thoroughly Dry Equipment Steam or hot wash system Disinfectant at proper concentration White zone: Reduced risk of introduction: Waters with no fish susceptible to Whirling Disease; No known high profile AIS or fish disease present; or low activity/use Yellow zone: Moderate-High risk: Waters susceptible to AIS or fish disease; high activity/use; or close to high population bases Red zone: High risk: fish disease or AIS present Based on 2016 and 2017 wild sample results and samples from irrigation cannels HUC Hierarchal from 2 to 12 White & Yellow = HUC 6 Red = HUC 10 or 12

What would you need to do? Example Warehouse compound in Airdrie Work being completed here What would you need to do? Level 1 at site, Level 3 at staging area or designated site in compound Complete Decontamination Record

What would you need to do? Example Secondary work site here Initial work being completed here What would you need to do? Level 1 at site, Level 3 prior to crossing the HUC boundary Complete Decontamination Record

What would you need to do? Example Initial work being completed here Secondary work site here What would you need to do? Level 1 only at site prior to movement (Within the same HUC boundary). Complete Decontamination Record

Thank you. Lisa Schaubel Decontamination Specialist Fish and Wildlife Policy Branch Alberta Environment and Parks