New Zealand mud snail infestation problematic

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This month, Mark Abramson of Heal the Bay discovered that the Malibu Creek Watershed has a serious infestation of New Zealand mud snails at a number of sites.

Last week, an emergency summit hosted by the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission resulted in further assessments of the situation by local biologists and water quality scientists. The results underline that these snails are too successful at living in the Santa Monica Mountains. Unfortunately, these tiny snails (measuring 1/8 of an inch) breed quickly, have no local predators and are capable of lasting 30 hours without water and up to 60 days in a damp area.

Abramson said New Zealand mud snails “can out-compete and reduce the number of native aquatic invertebrates that the watershed’s fish and amphibians rely on for food. This reduction in aquatic invertebrate food supply can disrupt the entire food web with drastic consequences.” Southern steelhead trout, arroyo chub and western pond turtles are at-risk.

Recognizing the alarming rate at which this species breeds and their affinity for clinging to things like wetsuits, boot soles and rubber tires, the consortium of scientists and wildlife specialists who met at the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission have concluded that preventing further spread of the New Zealand Mud Snail is of paramount concern.

The simple message to everyone working, playing or living near creeks or creek banks in the Santa Monica Mountains: “When in doubt, stay out.”

People who have to be in and out of the creek for any reason need to make sure to practice safe creek protocols every time they are in or out of the water or even moving along the creek banks.

1. Inspect-These snails are tiny and stick to wetsuits, boot soles, tires tracks and fur. Look for, collect and bag any snails found on a person, animal or affiliated clothing/gear.

2. Scrub-Scrub any gear, clothes, shoes or tires in contact with the creek bank or creeks.

3. Clean-Clean everything that has come in contact with the creek, including the scrub-brush, with bleach-water or spray it with 409. Copper sulfate will work as well. Found snails need to be immersed in 409, bleach/water, copper sulfate or boiled prior to disposal.

4. Separate-Keep separate gear and clothing for work in separate creeks. Color-code and label clothing and gear.

Melina Sempill Watts is the Malibu Creek Watershed coordinator for the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains.