Quagga/Zebra Mussel News

* Forwarded from the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission *

Virtual Watercraft Inspection Trainings for the first quarter of 2022

Upcoming Classes:

• WIT Level 1 – Inspector Training - (2 days; 8 a.m. - Noon PST) check website for registration links - 3 classes available in 2022
• WIT Level 2 – Inspector & Decontamination Training - (3 days; 8 a.m. - Noon PST) check website for registration links - 3 classes available in 2022
• WIT Level 3 - Trainer Training - check website for eligibility requirements and registration - 3 classes available in 2022

Classes fill up quickly. If you plan to attend or send students, register soon.

For more information contact: "Quagga D" Davis, (702) 236-3814, quaggadee@cox.net

Starting September 2021, the purchase of a Mussel Fee sticker is now a separate transaction from your vessel registration and renewal. Vessel owners may purchase the Mussel Fee Sticker directly from DMV's website at dmv.ca.gov/musselfee or through their local DMV field office. Vessel owners will no longer have the option to buy it via telephone, mail, or third-party vendor. Refer to DBW's Mussel Fee Sticker Insert (PDF) for more information about this process.

Boaters who recreate in fresh water, should be prepared for inspections throughout the state as waterbody owners and managers diligently work to ensure California's waterbodies remain mussel-free. Boaters are encouraged to clean, drain, and dry their boats whenever they leave the water. To learn more about how you can help prevent the spread of quagga and zebra mussels, please visit dbw.parks.ca.gov/StopQZ.

Still have questions about the Mussel Fee Sticker?

See the Mussel Fee Sticker FAQs (PDF) for more information.

For questions specific to quagga/zebra mussel monitoring, or for prevention planning, contact CDFW, at Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov or (866) 440-9530.

On August 6, 2021, a Castaic Lake park visitor reported finding one adult quagga mussel while kayaking in Castaic Lake (Los Angeles County). The specimen was sent to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for laboratory analysis which confirmed via genetic analysis the species identification as quagga mussel.

On August 17, 2021, Department of Water Resources (DWR) and CDFW staff discovered a ½ shell (dead) quagga mussel and a full shell (dead) quagga mussel along the shoreline of Castaic Lake.

On August 24, 2021, CDFW staff discovered a full shell (dead) quagga mussel along the shoreline of Castaic Lake.

These discoveries constitute the detection of adult mussels at Castaic Lake, thereby triggering management actions be taken to control mussels within the system.

Pyramid Lake, known to have quagga mussels since 2016, is upstream of Castaic Lake. Castaic Lagoon is immediately downstream of Castaic Lake, and therefore is presumed to be exposed to mussels.

To date, DWR and CDFW have not detected larval veliger-stage mussels in Castaic Lake during routine monitoring. CDFW will continue to work with DWR to delineate the population.

DWR, the owner and operator of Castaic Lake, is taking steps to implement a containment program. Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, the recreation manager, began implementing exit inspections at Castaic Lake on August 13, 2021, to prevent the movement of quagga mussels. Boaters at these waterbodies, as well as all other waterbodies, should continue to clean, drain, and dry their watercraft and equipment after every visit.

For questions that are specific to DWR’s response, please contact Maggie Macias, DWR Information Officer, (916) 820-7662. For questions regarding CDFW’s response, please contact CDFW’s hotline at (866) 440-9530.

DWR has published a press release.