DON'T MOVE A MUSSEL!

Information about Quagga Mussels



Quagga Mussel Flyer

Quagga Mussels - A Guide to Cleaning Boats

DBAW Quagga Mussel Press Release

Visit the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel.

California state departments are asking boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats to stop the spread of harmful invasive mussels. Properly cleaning and drying will also protect boats and help boaters avoid quarantines or being turned away from a water destination.

To help prevent the spread of these mussels, boaters should inspect all exposed surfaces, wash boat hulls thoroughly, remove all plants from boat and trailer, drain all water, including lower outboard units, clean and dry livewells and bait buckets and dispose of baitfish in the trash. Watercraft should be dried for at least five days and up to 30 days depending upon the weather between launches in different fresh bodies of water. These steps are designed to thwart spread of the invasive mussels, safeguard boats and preserve high quality fisheries.

Quagga and Zebra mussels can cause severe problems for boaters and water enthusiasts. They can:
• ruin the engine by blocking the cooling system - causing overheating
• increase drag on the bottom of the boat, reducing speed and wasting fuel
• jam steering equipment on boats
• require scraping and repainting of boat bottoms
• colonize all underwater substrates such as boat ramps, docks, lines and other underwater surfaces requiring constant cleaning

California law makes it illegal to possess or transport Quagga or Zebra mussels and gives DFG authority to stop, detain, search and quarantine boats suspected or determined to be contaminated with mussels. Additional agencies have been granted this authority including the Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and Parks.

A public toll-free number hotline has been established for boaters and anyone involved with activities on lakes and rivers seeking information on the invasive and destructive Quagga mussels at 1-866-440-9530 or visit the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel.