July 30, 2019 Southwest Tribal Fisheries Commission Workshop New Mexico Dept. Game & Fish Aquatic Invasive Species July 30, 2019 Southwest Tribal Fisheries Commission Workshop You do not have to be an expert on boats to be a good ANS inspector. However, learning some basic boat anatomy and terminology is very important to be able to communicate with the boater and other inspectors, as well as help you intercept infested watercraft. In this section we will go over some common terminology, propulsion systems, three categories of boats, unique features and where to look for ANS.

Zebra and Quagga Mussel ID, Biology & Impacts This training module will provide Agents with the knowledge to identify zebra or quagga mussels, and an overall understanding of the species biology and impacts.

What are Zebra & Quagga Mussels? Where do they come From? Freshwater bivalve mollusks Highly variable color patterns Triangular (Z) Rounded (Q) Invasive Characteristics Rapid Reproduction Attach with Byssal Threads Filter Feeding Driessena polymorpha Zebra and Quagga mussels are freshwater mollusks with two shells. Zebra mussels are more triangular in shape, while quagga mussels are more rounded. They often look the same, and differentiating between the two can be difficult. Zebra and Quagga mussels have three characteristics that make them particularly invasive: The ability to reproduce rapidly at exponential rates The ability to attach using their unique byssal threads The rate at which they filter feed and remove nutrients from the water column Driessena rostriformis bugensis

Where Did They Come From? Quagga Mussels Zebra Mussels So where did these invaders come from and how did they get here? Quagga mussels are native to the Dneiper River drainage in the Ukraine. Zebra mussels are native to the Black, Caspian, & Aral seas.

How did they get to the U.S.? Transoceanic vessels from Europe carried larvae in ballast water and/or adults on anchors Initial discovery of zebra mussels was in the Great Lakes region near Lake St. Clair in 1988 Initial discovery of quagga mussels was in the Erie canal and Lake Ontario in 1991 The introduction of Zebra and Quagga mussels to the US can be traced to transoceanic ships that carried veligers in their ballast or adults on their anchor. They were initially discovered in the Great Lakes region near Lake St. Clair in 1988. The initial discover of quagga mussels was in the Erie canal and Lake Ontario in 1991.

1988 ZMs Found Alive Watch how quickly zebra and quagga mussels spread after the initial discovery and introduction in the Great Lakes region. You’ll see stars emerge in the west where dead mussels were found on recreational watercraft.

1990 ZMs Found Alive

1993 ZMs Found Dead ZMs Found Alive

1996 ZMs Found Dead ZMs Found Alive

1999 ZMs Found Dead ZMs Found Alive Stars are locations were mussels were found dead on watercraft traveling overland. The CO dot is on I-50 at a boat dealer.

2003 ZMs Found Dead ZMs Found Alive El Dorado Res, KS AUG 03

2007 ZMs Found Dead ZMs Found Alive In 2007, Lake Mead becomes the first confirmed mussel infested reservoir West of the 100th Meridian.

2014 Quagga mussels are proving to be well suited to western waters. Notice the red dots for zebra mussels out east as opposed to the green dots for quagga mussels. The quagga mussels have started to outcompete the zebra mussels in many locations.

2015

Why Be Concerned? IMPACTS! Prolific Reproducers Clog Water Infrastructure Ecological Impacts Recreational Impacts Economic Impacts Social Impacts Impossible to Eradicate Spread Quickly Mussels are bad for everyone! Mussels spread very quickly and once established in a water body they have catastrophic impacts to the ecosystem, recreation and economy.

Who/What is Impacted? Management = Recreation Watercraft owners Swimmers Anglers Cornell University estimate economic losses and associated control costs caused by invasive species at over $200 billion Water transfer infrastructure Drinking water Agriculture Environment Native species Game Species The effects of mussels cause billions of dollars to water and power industries in order to perpetually clean and maintain pipes and other hydrological structures. This cost is passed down to consumers who pay for power and water in states like Illinois. Boat owners must pay for costly repairs and replacements of engines and parts that get clogged with mussels. Researchers estimated the zebra mussel infestation in the Great Lakes region has cost the power industry over 3 billion dollars. Cornell University scientists estimate that economic losses and control costs for invasive species has cost the U.S. over 200 billion dollars. Management =

What is New Mexico Doing? 2009 AIS Prevention and Control Act Passed 2013 Full time AIS coordinator 2016 State Game Commission Adopted Amendments to 19.30.14

NMDGF AIS Activities Education/Public Outreach Expos On the ramp TV/Radio/Print Social Media Billboards Early Detection Routine water collections PCR Microscopy Prevention Decontamination Inspections

19.30.14.12 INSPECTION AND DECONTAMINATION PROGRAM: A. Trained personnel may conduct mandatory inspections of all conveyances or equipment prior to entering, being launched onto or being directly exposed to any water body of the state. B. All conveyances or equipment transported into New Mexico or registered in a state other than New Mexico shall be inspected by trained personnel prior to entering, being launched or being directly exposed to any water body of the state. Proof of decontamination may be used in lieu of an inspection at the discretion of trained personnel. C. The owner of a conveyance or equipment that is greater than or equal to twenty-six (26) feet in length and will be transported into or within New Mexico shall notify the department aquatic invasive species program coordinator at least fourteen (14) days prior to the anticipated date of transport. D. Upon completion of any conveyance or equipment inspection, trained personnel may require decontamination, re-inspection and additional drying time prior to the conveyance or equipment entering any water body of the state. E. Trained personnel may affix a watercraft inspection and decontamination seal to a conveyance or equipment to serve as proof of decontamination or inspection. Conveyances or equipment with an intact watercraft inspection and decontamination seal may be allowed to enter a water body of the state without further inspection or decontamination upon verification by trained personnel. F. The owner or operator of any conveyance or equipment transported in New Mexico shall remove any plug or other barrier that prevents water drainage, drain bilge lines, ballast tanks and live wells and take reasonable measures to decontaminate all equipment, compartments or spaces that are wet or hold water. G. Trained personnel may not self-inspect, decontaminate or attach a seal to their own conveyance or equipment. [19.30.14.12 NMAC - N, 2-12-2016]

New Mexico Inspection Stations

Watercraft Inspections 2013-2018 Decontaminations 2013-2018

Questions? Does anyone have any questions before we move onto the next module?