A species of critical mussel has entered North America for the first time through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta – posing what many call an immediate threat to California's most important habitats.
Golden mussels, freshwater bivalves that destroy ecosystems and critical water infrastructure in other parts of the world, have recently been discovered near the Port of Stockton. Limnoperna fortunei they appear to have found their way several miles downstream into the O'Neill Forebay of the San Luis Reservoir, where Merced County officials have been conducting rapid genetic testing.
“These species pose a significant threat to the ecological health of the Delta and all of the region's watersheds, water transportation systems, infrastructure and water quality,” according to a public warning from the California Department of Water and the California Department of Fisheries. and Wildlife. “This discovery is the first known occurrence of golden mussels in North America.”
The mussels likely entered California by ship from an international port and may have spread throughout the Delta and Delta-related water infrastructure, officials said in a statement. “Without prevention, golden mussels are likely to spread to other freshwater areas in California, and to other estuaries and inland waters in North America and abroad.”
These tiny dark yellow insects, native to rivers in China and Southeast Asia, are already wreaking havoc in South America, and for years have kept officials and ecologists across the United States on their toes. In each country where mussels have taken over, the first introduction has also been seen from ships – on hulls or in the release of ballast water.
And in many of these cases elsewhere, the golden mussel's range quickly expands upstream or downstream from the launch site — often in the harbor — and local, human-guided methods are used, officials said.
Both a freshwater and brackish species, the golden mussel can tolerate a wide range of salinity, temperature and pH levels, and can travel much farther than people imagine. Soon after fertilization, the larvae are mobile and able to swim in an orderly fashion as they disperse through the water column.
Imports of golden mussels have shown that the species can grow in clumps or colonies containing 80,000 to 200,000 organisms per square meter.
Wildlife officials have noted that the golden mussel can survive in water with much lower calcium than the quagga or zebra mussel, which has caused few problems in California lakes and ponds, as well as in the Great Lakes region and many others. lakes across the United States.
In addition to disrupting the natural balance of all fresh water, golden mussels are a major threat to California's water infrastructure. These mussels can clog important water and fish screens and dirty mains on which the water supply is relied upon.
Agricultural irrigation and power plant operations may also be severely disrupted, and if past mussel attacks are any indication, golden mussels may also adversely affect boating and recreation by damaging docks, engines and steering equipment.
In California, a team of state, local and federal agencies has been monitoring and coordinating next steps to contain the species from spreading in California and beyond. Officials urged anyone who works and recycles on California's lakes and rivers to clean, drain and dry their watercraft and equipment every time they are taken out of the water. (California State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways has a web page with details on how to “clean, drain and dry” a boat.)
“This simple measure has helped prevent the spread of quagga and zebra mussels and is equally effective in stopping the spread of golden mussels on land,” officials said.
Those who see any suspected golden mussels in California are asked to file a report with CDFW's Invasive Species Program, by filling out a form online, via email. invasives@wildlife.ca.gov or call (866) 440-9530. Please note that officials are asking these citizen reports to include the location of the sighting and at least one clear photo of the mussel.
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