Two mussel encrusted boats intercepted in Montana

Two mussel encrusted boats were intercepted at watercraft inspection stations in Montana over Memorial Day weekend,

According to a press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the first boat was stopped on May 26 at an inspection station in Wibaux. The boat arrived from the Great Lakes region and was reportedly encrusted with adult mussels destined for West Yellowstone.

The inspection station crew hot washed the boat and the vessel was secured until a complete decontamination could be completed.

The second boat failed to stop at an inspection station in Hardin on May 27. Staff called 1-800 TIP MONT and Montana Highway Patrol was alerted. The driver was pulled over and the boat was returned to the inspection station. The vessel headed for British Columbia was found to be encrusted with adult mussels and was hot-water washed. Canadian authorities were alerted and followed up with the boat at the border.

“The interception of these boats over the weekend reinforces the importance of our efforts around Montana,” said FWP’s aquatic invasive species bureau chief Tom Woolf in the press release. “We see a lot of out of state watercraft coming from areas of the country where mussels and other AIS are present. Our inspection stations are the first line of defense to protect Montana’s waters.”

Last fall aquatic invasive mussel larvae were discovered in water samples from Tiber Reservoir, the first such detection in the state. A water sample take from Canyon Ferry Reservoir last fall also was found to be suspect for the mussel larvae.

Officials remind boat owners that all vessels coming into the state must be inspected prior to launching. Additionally, all watercraft traveling across the Continental Divide into the Columbia River Basin must be inspected prior to launching. If a boater encounters an open watercraft inspection station, they are required to stop. This includes rafts, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.