The New Zealand Mud Snail (NZMS) poses a growing threat to western rivers and fisheries. The snail entered several Eastern Sierra creeks years ago and has recently appeared in Bay Area and Southern California watersheds.

The mud snail poses a serious threat to California's fisheries because:

• They out compete and replace native invertebrates (like mayflies and stoneflies) which can have a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems.
  
• They can be transported from one river to another by anglers, fishing gear, boats, dogs, and a host of other "vectors."
  
• They reproduce asexually - a solitary snail can populate an entire watershed.
  
• They have no known predators in the United States and have rapidly spread throughout the western U.S. since their discovery in Idaho in the mid-1980s.
  
• They alter aquatic ecosystems and food webs, negatively impacting a river's trout populations and other fish species.
  

With these facts in mind, California Trout has developed a plan to contain and limit the spread of the NZMS to other watersheds..

• Conduct biological surveys on California's rivers to assess mud snail presence in key watersheds throughout the state.
  
• Distribute NZMS posters on many of California's watersheds to alert anglers of this threat.
  
• Fund decontamination tests on fishing waders and boots to create an easy, 5-minute treatment for gear and equipment so anglers can help contain the spread.
  
• Conduct a research study on the upper Owens River to determine what effect water conductivity plays in the population dynamics and growth of the NZMS and how this may impact trout species.
  
• Collect data and conduct research in the Eastern Sierra that will facilitate viable management policies and control techniques for the mud snail.
  

CalTrout has been closely working on these goals with other stakeholders like the Northern California Council Federation of Fly Fishers (NCCFFF) to press the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to develop prudent management plans for mud snails and other harmful invasive species. These are the suggestions that CalTrout and other stakeholders have provided to DFG Director Ryan Broddrick to improve management for NZMS and other invasive species in California:

• Assign and require reporting from a dedicated coordinator in DFG with the authority, ability and time to direct invasive species management throughout DFG's regions. This coordinator would develop programs and coordinate with DFG regions, other government agencies, NGOs and stakeholder groups on communications, outreach, fundraising and volunteer activities.
  
• Develop a cohesive statewide survey plan to determine mud snail presence in California's priority waters with plans to monitor its spread.
  
• Build an effective and standardized hatchery protocol to prevent the stocking of mud snails in California's watersheds. This protocol would include aggressively managing and cleaning up public and private hatcheries that have invasive species infestations, developing filters and special fish handling procedures to keep the mud snail out of hatcheries, and ongoing inspections.
  
• Conduct, encourage and oversee research to assess the potential risk to California's aquatic ecosystems and fisheries and to evaluate potential control and eradication tactics for NZMS and other invasive species. Develop alliances with universities, research centers and other states to expand research capacity. Develop an oversight committee of citizen and agency experts that will direct research and grant funding efforts as appropriate.
  
• Improve communications to NGOs and the general public by maintaining a regularly-updated invasive species website with links to other relevant websites, producing up-to-date and easily-accessible outreach and education materials and by providing a clearinghouse of invasive species information.
  
• Work with the legislature to develop a grants program for research, inventory and eradication of invasive aquatic species. Identify and encourage potential funding sources for these programs including local, federal and state water agencies, the Department of Water Resources, and legislative appropriations.
  

CalTrout has been working on NZMS issues since its discovery in Putah Creek and will continue to commit ourselves and our resources to improve invasive species management throughout California. We will continue to dedicate staff, mobilize volunteers and work with other partners, agencies, and utilities to build prudent invasive species management in California.

Inquiries:
Robert Lusardi
Eastern Sierra Manager
lusardi@caltrout.org
(760) 924-1008