PASCO, Wash. — Two boats contaminated with invasive freshwater mussels have been intercepted since the start of 2026, prompting this year’s warning by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to check and clean watercraft, gear and equipment
In February, WDFW inspectors at the Pasco station said they intercepted a fouled watercraft destined for British Columbia. In mid-March, an inspector in Spokane intercepted a watercraft with a single mussel attached.
“Invasive quagga and zebra mussels are an AIS of greatest concern to the State of Washington,” said Kelly Susewind, director of WDFW, said in a release. “They pose an imminent threat to native and beneficial fish and wildlife species, habitat, water quality and pollution and critical infrastructure.”
Invasive freshwater mussels pose a threat to the environment, economy and way of life, but WDFW says their spread is preventable…