CDFW News

California Takes Action to Halt Golden Mussel Invasion

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 12:35:36 GMT

In response to the recent detection of golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the state of California has developed a comprehensive Golden Mussel Response Framework to address this urgent invasive species threat. The discovery in October 2024 marked the first known occurrence of golden mussel in North America. To combat this threat, the framework provides coordinated strategies by multiple California departments to prevent further introduction and spread of golden mussels, as well as to contain and suppress infestations to minimize their impact on the environment, water conveyance, recreation and agriculture.

In addition, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering $1 million in grant funding to boating facility operators to enhance efforts against invasive mussels, particularly the threat of golden mussels. This funding supports projects that help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive mussels in lakes, reservoirs and waterways, ensuring the long-term health of state waters. The grant solicitation and application link can be found on CDFW’s website.

Native to East and Southeast Asia, golden mussels pose a significant threat to California’s natural ecosystems, water infrastructure, agriculture, and economy. The invasive species has already caused major disruptions in other parts of the world, including heavy biofouling of water intake systems, and negative impacts to habitat and wildlife.

“The discovery of golden mussels in California is a serious challenge that requires coordinated action and a long-term commitment,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “This response framework recommends critical steps that must be taken across state, regional and local levels to limit the spread and mitigate the impacts of this invasive species.”

“Taking coordinated action to address this invasive species will help safeguard critical water infrastructure like the State Water Project from the negative impacts golden mussels can pose to water delivery systems,” said John Yarbrough, DWR Deputy Director for the State Water Project. “Using this new framework and close collaboration with partner agencies, DWR will implement strategies to address this invasive species and minimize impacts by monitoring for the mussels in SWP waters and developing a mitigation plan.”

Reservoir managers across the state are adjusting their recreational plans for the upcoming boating season to address concerns for the golden mussel.

“Recreational boating is a significant contributor to California’s economy, and California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is working diligently with allied industry and agency partners to provide outreach and educational information to boaters and waterbody managers on the importance of the Clean, Drain and Dry message to help protect the state’s waterways from invasive species,” said DBW Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez. “DBW recommends boaters contact the waterbody manager to learn of any updated requirements before they head out.”

DBW maintains a list of contacts at: https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/inspections.

The response framework developed by the Golden Mussel Task Force is composed of key state and federal agencies, including CDFW, DWR, California State Parks, California Department of Food and Agriculture, and several other federal and local partners. It outlines a comprehensive strategy to respond to the invasive species, focusing on preventing further introduction, containing mussels within currently infested waters and reducing population within the invaded range where feasible.

Key recommendations in the response framework include:

Containment and Prevention Measures
- Development of a map of Delta launch sites to prioritize management at high-use sites.
- Investigation of pathways of spread, such as watercraft and overland movement, aquaculture trade, etc.
- Increased inspection and decontamination capacity for watercraft, with expanded training for inspectors.
Education and Outreach
- Launch of education campaigns to inform the public about the golden mussel threat and how they can help prevent its spread.
- Posting of signage at waterbodies where golden mussels are present promoting the “Clean, Drain, Dry” practice following and ending every outing.
- Collaboration with businesses that provide watercraft cleaning services to promote industry standards.
Incentives and Partnerships
- Promotion of watercraft cleaning services within and around the Delta to assist in controlling the spread of the mussels.

The Golden Mussel Task Force will continue to collaborate to mitigate the impacts of this invasive species and protect the state’s water resources. The Golden Mussel Framework is a dynamic document, evolving with new information and adaptive management strategies.

For more information or to learn how you can help prevent the spread of golden mussel and report sightings visit: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Golden-Mussel.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Maggie Macias, DWR Public Affairs Office, (916) 902-7405
Adeline Yee, California State Parks, Newsroom@parks.ca.gov

CDFW Announces Availability of $8.6 million in Grant Funding for Improving Boating Access Statewide

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 16:12:30 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced the availability of up to $8.6 million in funding for projects to improve public access for recreational boaters statewide. CDFW’s Boating Access Grant Program will reimburse the costs of projects that seek to acquire, develop, renovate, maintain or improve facilities that create or enhance public access to California waters or advance the suitability of waters for recreational boating.

CDFW is accepting proposals through Nov. 3 for the 2023-2024 Boating Access Grant Program. CDFW will also hold a Public Solicitation Workshop on Oct. 4, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. (PDF). to provide an overview of the program including eligible activities, program requirements and the grant process.

“California’s waterways, from our coastline to majestic lakes and a vast network of rivers, provide unparalleled recreational opportunities for every boater,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Ensuring safe and reliable access for our anglers and every boater statewide remains a high priority.”

Supported with federal funds through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program, funding for the program comes from revenue via taxes on sport fishing equipment, fishing tackle, pleasure boats and the portion of the gasoline fuel tax attributable to small engines and motorboats. The Boating Access Program provides funding for a broad range of access facilities and associated amenities that benefit recreational boaters. To find out more about eligible activities please visit wildlife.ca.gov/Grants/Boating-Access.

Project activities eligible for Boating Access grant funds include:

Planning, permitting, design and construction of boating access facilities.
Amenities for boaters including compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act at boating access facilities:
- Launching and landing facilities for paddle craft and non-motorized boats.
- Outreach to boaters about available boating access and amenities.
- Aquatic invasive species information and education (inspection but not enforcement).
- Vegetation management related to boater access.
- Pump out facilities for vessels with on-board sanitary holding tanks.
- Fueling docks for boaters.
- Potable water supplies for boaters.
- Dinghy docks.
Operation and maintenance of boating access facilities.
Administration and coordination of boating access programs (including personnel, travel, training and planning)
Maintenance and operations projects for boating access sites, facilities and structures.

For questions on CDFW’s Boating Access Grant Program, please email boatingaccess@wildlife.ca.gov.

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Media Contacts:
Matt Wells, CDFW Watershed Restoration Grant Branch, (916) 216-7848
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

CDFW Reminds Boaters of Invasive Mussels Concerns with Labor Day Weekend Approaching

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 10:43:42 GMT

As another California boating season winds down, boaters are being asked to remember the importance of cleaning, draining and drying their watercraft to combat the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels.

Quagga and zebra mussels are invasive freshwater mussels native to Europe and Asia. They multiply quickly, 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.

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 that are boatable by the public.

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.

“Thanks to a cool wet winter, boating conditions have been great this year,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Invasive Species Program Manager Martha Volkoff. “Peak conditions will continue to attract boaters over the Labor Day weekend and preventing the spread of mussels is fundamental to protecting future boating access.”

Quagga and zebra mussels can attach to and damage virtually any submerged surface. They can:

Ruin a boat engine by blocking the cooling system and causing it to overheat
Jam a boat’s steering equipment, putting occupants and others at risk
Require frequent scraping and repainting of boat hulls
Colonize all underwater substrates such as boat ramps, docks, lines and other underwater surfaces causing them to require constant cleaning
Impose large expenses to owners

CDFW advises boaters to take the following steps before leaving a waterbody to prevent spreading invasive mussels, improve the efficiency of their inspection experience and safeguard California waterways:

CLEAN — inspect exposed surfaces and remove all plants and organisms,
DRAIN — all water, including water contained in lower outboard units, live-wells and bait buckets and
DRY — allow the watercraft to thoroughly dry between launches. Watercraft should be kept dry for at least five days in warm weather and up to 30 days in cool weather.

Please visit this CDFW Quagga Mussels web page for extensive information on invasive species, how much they can harm an ecosystem and how California boaters can provide crucial assistance in the fight against invasive mussels.

Travelers are also advised to be prepared for inspections at California Department of Food and Agriculture border protection stations. Inspections, which can also be conducted by CDFW and California State Parks, include a check of boats and personal watercraft as well as trailers and all onboard items. Contaminated vessels and equipment are subject to decontamination, rejection, quarantine or impoundment.

CDFW thanks boaters for their continued and valuable cooperation in joining the fight against invasive quagga and zebra mussels.

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Media Contacts:
Martha Volkoff, CDFW Invasive Species Program Manager, (916) 203-2255
Tim Daly, CDFW Communications, (916) 201-2958