Don’t Let It Loose (DLIL)

is a public awareness campaign that encourages responsible pet, aquarium, pond, and bait ownership to help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species in New Brunswick.

Whether it's unwanted pets, aquarium plants, live bait, or introduced sport fish, releasing non-native species into the wild can have lasting impacts on native ecosystems.

Learn The Don’t Let it Loose Rules

Many invasive species begin with a single release. By making responsible choices as pet owners, anglers, and hobbyists, we can help prevent new introductions before they occur.

Do not release pets, plants or live food into aquatic environments.

Do not release aquarium pets, water garden plants, live food (such as : fish, crabs, or mollusks) or live bait into rivers, streams, lakes, ponds or storm sewers.

Never move live fish from one waterbody to another.

Follow New Brunswick's current fishing regulations and mandatory retention requirements where applicable.

Know what pets and plants are legal to own.

Purchase only from reputable retailers and ensure species are properly identified before bringing them home.

Be a responsible pet and plant owner.

If you can no longer care for your pet or plant, consider rehoming it through friends, community groups, or by contacting the retailer where it was purchased. Never release it into the wild.

How This Helps

Many invasive species are introduced when unwanted pets, aquarium contents, bait, or other non-native species are intentionally or accidentally released into the environment.

Common pathways include:

Releasing unwanted pets
Dumping aquarium contents
Releasing live bait
Moving sport fish between waterbodies
Escapes from ponds, farms, or private collections

By preventing these introductions, we can help protect New Brunswick's native wildlife, habitats, and biodiversity.

Program Activities

Through the DON’T LET IT LOOSE program, government, municipalities, environmental organizations, industry, retailers, and recreational user groups to raise awareness about the risks of releasing non-native species into the wild. Through education, outreach, signage, and partnerships, we encourage responsible pet ownership and help prevent new invasive species introductions across New Brunswick.