Invasive zebra mussels detected and destroyed

OLYMPIA–In August, a Renton fish wholesaler spotted suspicious mussels in a shipment of Marimo moss balls, according to a recent report from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

They were quickly identified as highly invasive zebra mussels – a prohibited aquatic invasive species (AIS). The report activated a WDFW AIS early detection monitoring team who arrived the same day to collect samples – a rapid response made possible by $3.62 million in additional funding from the Washington State Legislature and federal partners to increase prevention and monitoring efforts for invasive mussels.

The response effort, now viewed as a national model for future incidents, was a collaborative effort between industry, WDFW, Washington Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. All contaminated moss balls shipped to Washington were accounted for and destroyed. First identified in Washington, eventually at least 19 states and parts of Canada were identified as receiving the illegally imported moss balls harvested and exported from the mussels’ native Ukraine.

Zebra mussels and their close relative, quagga mussels, pose an imminent threat to Washington’s economy, environment, agriculture, health, and critical infrastructure with mitigation and management costs estimated to cost hundreds of millions annually should they become established here. WDFW has requested continued support from the Washington State Legislature and federal partners to support and strengthen prevention, monitoring, and readiness efforts.