IMC Webinar: Golden Mussel Planning & Response

Webinar Summary: This webinar highlights perspectives on the issue of invasive golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei). A panel of six experts discuss the global distribution, biology, ecology, and impacts of golden mussel as well as the role of ballast water in their introduction to the United States. Four western U.S. states also provide an update on their response and planning efforts as a result of the detection of golden mussels in California in October 2024.
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Presentation 1) The Golden Mussel Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Presenter: Kate Wyman-Grothem, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region 3 

This presentation will briefly summarize what is known about the global distribution, biology, ecology, and impacts of introduction of the golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei). It will also share the results of an updated climate matching analysis to predict potential for golden mussel establishment within the contiguous United States, with special emphasis on the Great Lakes region.
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Presentation 2) Golden Mussel updates from California - Presenter: Martha Volkoff, California Department of Fish and Wildlife 

Golden mussel were detected in California on October 17, 2024, the first known occurrence of this species in North America. Over the past year state, federal, and local agencies, academia, and diverse partners have worked to prevent the further introduction of golden mussel to non-hydrologically connected waters, protect the environment, critical water conveyance, flood protection, and power generation infrastructure, and the economy of the state.
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Presentation 3) Knowns, unknowns, and assumptions about the role of ballast water in the introduction of golden mussels to California  - Presenter: Chris Scianni, California State Lands Commission’s Marine Invasive Species Program 

This presentation will summarize the information we know, the information we think we know, the information we do not know, and general assumptions about the detection and introduction of golden mussels in California. The presentation will also cover the likely role that commercial shipping, and ballast water in particular, likely played in the introduction, and what the state of California is doing to minimize the likelihood of spread to neighboring states and the likelihood of future introductions of fresh or brackish water species into California’s fresh or brackish water ports. 
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Presentation 4) Lake Tahoe AIS Prevention - Presenter: Dennis Zabaglo, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

This presentation will provide an overview of Lake Tahoe’s AIS prevention program and response to the golden mussel discovery. 
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Presentation 5) Sleepless in Seattle: Staying Ahead of the Golden Mussel in the Evergreen State - Presenter: Justin Bush, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 

Golden mussels may glitter, but their impacts are anything but shiny. In South America, where they are well established, this invasive species clog infrastructure, alter ecosystems, and drive-up costs—one 2018 report estimated more than $120 million in annual impacts to Brazil’s electricity sector alone. With the first North American detection in California, Washington is wide awake—assessing risks, watching key pathways like ballast water and overland conveyances, and gearing up with early detection and response readiness. This talk will share how the Evergreen State is preparing before golden mussels can get a foothold, why prevention beats cleanup every time, and how collaboration across regions will help us all sleep a little easier. 
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Presentation 6) Updates from Montana - Presenter: Thomas Woolf, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species 

This presentation will include perspectives from Montana and the Western Regional Panel on the golden mussel invasion as well as current response efforts.