Goldfish Infestation and Emergency Approval of Powder-Form Rotenone Pesticide
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT Alberta Municipalities advocate to the Government of Alberta for emergency approval of the dry form Rotenone to address invasive aquatic species infestation in stormwater pond systems.
WHEREAS goldfish, an invasive aquatic species, are continuously infesting stormwater ponds, posing a serious risk to the ecosystem;
WHEREAS the only approved pesticide in Canada, liquid Rotenone, is no longer being manufactured due to a manufacturing plant closure;
WHEREAS affected municipalities have made great efforts to resolve the issue, including obtaining the necessary provincial authorization to remove the aquatic invasive species manually;
WHEREAS the exploration of alternative methods, such as electrofishing, dewatering, and dredging, have been used in the absence of liquid Rotenone; and
WHEREAS goldfish continue to infest stormwater ponds, despite using alternative methods, demonstrating how persistent the problem is for affected municipalities.
An extensive goldfish infestation in Alberta’s stormwater ponds requires quick intervention to lessen the environmental harm to waterways and ecosystems.
The lack of liquid Rotenone has made it difficult to manage the aquatic invasive species successfully, even with attempts to address the problem using existing strategies, including physical removal, pond dewatering, and electrofishing. Emergency licensing of dry-form rotenone is required to assist in the prompt and effective management of the goldfish population and reduce the risk of ecological harm.
To mitigate the environmental risk posed to the lake by the aquatic invasive species in the surrounding stormwater ponds, it is imperative for the province to allow the emergency approval of dry-form Rotenone; this approval would not only facilitate an effective tool to control the goldfish population found in the stormwater ponds but also prevent further ecological damaging by providing an urgently needed solution to address the infestations.
By working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders, including municipalities, the Government of Alberta can address this pressing environmental concern and safeguard the integrity of Alberta's natural resources.
The December 2024 response from the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas mentioned that they align with our concerns, but Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency indicates that exposure was not within acceptable limits to allow the emergency use registration to proceed, as powders create substantially increased risk for exposure to the applicators compared to liquid formulations.
However, as of June 2025, production of liquid rotenone has resumed and is expected to be more accessible for municipal use.
ABmunis’ Rating of the Government’s Response
Intent partially met – further action will be taken at a medium engagement level.
ABmunis’ Notes and Actions
ABmunis sent a letter to Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency highlighting the concerns regarding the limited supply of liquid form Rotenone and that emergency use of dry form is greatly needed. In July 2025, ABmunis published a newsletter article about the new access to liquid rotenone and how municipalities can learn more about that option.