Environment Obligation to clean boats is intended to protect St. Gallen waters
The canton of St. Gallen is planning to introduce an obligation to clean boats when changing waters on April 1, 2025. The measure aims to prevent invasive organisms such as the quagga mussel from spreading to other lakes. The aim for Lake Constance is to protect it from even more invasive species.
25.07.2024, 14:49
SDA
Inspired by new regulations in the cantons of Central Switzerland, various offices in the canton of St. Gallen have been working on the introduction of mandatory reporting and cleaning for boats since the spring. This was announced by Michael Eugster, Head of the Cantonal Office for Water and Energy, at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency, confirming a report by Radio SRF's Regionaljournal Ostschweiz on Thursday morning.
The "rapid" spread of the quagga mussel in Lake Constance shows how an ecosystem can be changed by alien species. With regard to the quagga mussel, the planned measures for Lake Constance come too late. "However, it is now important to protect Swiss lakes that are not yet infested as quickly and as well as possible," Eugster continued.
The plan is for boats to be cleaned by experts. "As a rule, shipyards, for example, have the necessary facilities and personnel," Eugster continued. Suitable bodies should receive certification or approval from the canton. It is not yet clear what penalties boat owners will face if they do not comply with the planned regulations.
Bans already in force in Central Switzerland
Other cantons are also trying to curb the spread of invasive organisms by introducing new rules for boats. In April, for example, the Zug cantonal government banned boats that are not registered in the canton from entering Zug waters for one year. The canton of Schwyz also has such regulations.
