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Quagga and zebra mussels a concern for boaters this holiday weekend

U.S. Geological Survey, July 24, 2014

Officials in California are hoping Labor Day boaters will help keep invasive quagga and zebra mussels in check this Labor Day holiday weekend.

“Californians have a unique opportunity to enjoy numerous natural resources,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Doing your part to clean, drain and dry before heading out to recreate will help keep them free of quagga and zebra mussels, as well as other invasive species.”

Lakes in Southern California have been exposed to the mussels, but the latest numbers from the USGS show Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara County lakes have avoided the infestations. 

Cachuma Lake in Santa Barbara County requires a vessel quarantine of 30 days.

The mussels are non-native freshwater versions from Europe and Asia that multiply quickly and encrust watercraft and infrastructure, and compete for food with other fish species.