{"id":22818,"date":"2021-05-28T12:52:29","date_gmt":"2021-05-28T19:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/?p=22818"},"modified":"2021-06-08T10:42:56","modified_gmt":"2021-06-08T17:42:56","slug":"cdfa-border-stations-helping-to-prevent-spread-of-invasive-mussels-over-holiday-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/index.php\/2021\/05\/28\/cdfa-border-stations-helping-to-prevent-spread-of-invasive-mussels-over-holiday-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"CDFA Border Stations helping to prevent spread of invasive mussels over holiday weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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News release from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boating appears to be surging in popularity in California and nationwide. California agencies combatting the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels ask new and seasoned boaters to remain cautious over the three-day Memorial Day weekend to prevent the spread of quagga and zebra mussels by cleaning, draining and drying their watercraft after each outing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quagga and zebra mussels are invasive freshwater mussels native to Europe and Asia. They multiply quickly, encrust watercraft and infrastructure, alter water quality and the aquatic food web, and ultimately impact native and sport fish communities. These mussels spread from one waterbody to another by attaching to watercraft, equipment and nearly anything that has been in an infested waterbody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invisible to the naked eye, microscopic juveniles are spread from infested waterbodies by water that is entrapped in boat engines, ballasts, bilges, live-wells and buckets. Quagga mussels have infested 34 waters in Southern California and zebra mussels have infested two waters in San Benito County, 13 of which are boatable by the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To prevent the spread of these mussels and other aquatic invasive species, people launching vessels at any waterbody are subject to watercraft inspections and should clean, drain and dry their motorized and non-motorized boats, including personal watercraft, and any equipment that contacts the water before and after use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe California Department of Food and Agriculture operates Border Protection Stations that inspect trailered watercraft entering the state\u201d said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Invasive Species Program Manager Martha Volkoff. \u201cThese inspections are an integral part of preventing further introductions of mussels and are also a window into changes in boating trends. In the past two years we have seen a nearly 20 percent increase in watercraft passing through Border Protection Stations between January and May since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Because of the additional boats, we have seen more mussel-fouled boat interceptions, but more concerning, we have also seen a significant increase in the proportion of mussel-fouled boats. We attribute this to many new boaters, who aren\u2019t aware of the mussel issue and how to prevent their spread. Memorial Day is a great opportunity to spread the word to these boaters about the simple actions they should take.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CDFW advises boaters to take the following steps before leaving a waterbody to prevent spreading invasive mussels, improve the efficiency of your inspection experience next time you launch, and safeguard California waterways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n