The 2024 FLBS Aquatic Invasive Species Report
After another busy year, Montana’s collaborative and vigilant efforts to prevent the arrival and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) continues to be effective. Over 100,000 boats were inspected for aquatic hitchhikers this year by state, tribal, federal, and local watercraft inspectors, with nearly half of those boats originating from states with known AIS infestations. In total, boat inspections led to the successful discovery and decontamination of forty-two invasive mussel-infested watercraft.
Now in its eighth consecutive year partnering with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and working closely with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), the FLBS AIS team successfully completed a wide range of AIS prevention activities to expand the effectiveness of one of Montana’s most important lines of AIS defense—early detection.
“We had a lot of promising things coming out of the 2024 field season and I am excited to see them built upon next year,” said FLBS AIS specialist Phil Matson. “Rapid detection technology is advancing and gaining traction, the Western Montana Conservation Commission is setting up its AIS committee to bolster regional prevention efforts, and keen focus is being placed on all available tools as neighboring states come to grip with the reality of invasive mussels in the region.”
The importance of accurate early detection cannot be overstated, as it plays a key role in the ability of stakeholders and managers to respond to the arrival of zebra or quagga mussels and prevent full-blown invasion.
Led by Matson, the FLBS AIS Program completed three rounds of early detection sampling for zebra and quagga mussels at 31 different sites on Flathead Lake and six additional Flathead Watershed lakes. All samples collected by FLBS have either already been processed or are currently being analyzed by researchers at state and Bio Station laboratories. To date, none of the processed samples have tested positive for the presence of invasive mussels or their DNA.
Throughout these monitoring trips, Matson and his team interacted with members of the public to provide education about the threats AIS bring to our environment and economy, the state-wide early detection sampling efforts, and the “Clean, Drain, Dry” campaign. Through these outreach efforts, a total of 135 interested citizens and professional resource managers were engaged during the 2024 sampling season.
In addition to sampling, the FLBS AIS Program hosted an AIS identification and surveillance training in conjunction with FWP and the US Geological Survey, focusing on the use of environmental DNA for early detection.
This 2-day training was attended by 17 overall participants from 11 federal, tribal, and state agencies and local watershed associations. Attendees benefited from learning native and non-native aquatic species identification and collection techniques including early detection sampling for environmental DNA.
FLBS AIS specialist Phil Matson provides training focused on the use of environmental DNA for early detection during an AIS identification and surveillance workshop that the FLBS AIS program hosted in conjunction with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the US Geological Survey.
During the training, a new rapid detection technology called Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was presented.
“Point of use technology like LAMP allows its user to obtain presence or absence results at the sample site rather than leaving the site and waiting weeks before knowing the test results,” said Matson. “Knowing whether or not to continue sampling or move on to a new spot enhances our early detection capabilities and helps management decision making to be timelier and much more efficient.”
Point of use genetic tools, such as LAMP, detect DNA targets at the site of sample collection, often providing results as quickly as thirty minutes. These tools can be beneficial for early detection of invasive species, which require immediate management action, and offer yet another layer of defense for Montana’s increasingly vulnerable waterbodies.
FLBS also partnered with the US Forest Service and Whitefish Lake Institute to utilize LAMP technology to advance early detection protocols at Flathead Watershed lakes, including Flathead Lake, Swan Lake, Ashley Lake, Echo Lake, Little Bitterroot Lake, Lake Mary Ronan, and Hungry Horse Reservoir.
Another significant objective for the FLBS AIS Program that plays a powerful role in the success of AIS prevention is community education and outreach. FLBS once again partnered with CSKT and FWP to hold the 8th Annual Mussel Walk, which provided students from Bigfork Middle School, Polson Middle School, and Two Eagle River School the opportunity to get outside and learn about AIS species and prevention through hands-on activities on the shores of Flathead Lake.
This year, the Mussel Walk culminated with approximately 200 middle school students and educators surveying the shorelines of Wayfarers State Park in Bigfork, MT, and Salish Point in Polson, MT for mussels and other invasive species.
“Empowering students with the thought that they can be protectors of our natural resources for generations to come is always a joy,” said Matson. “Seeing the students puff up with pride when they learn about becoming future leaders gives instant gratification and it’s inspiring to know they take our messages about protecting our waters to heart.”
After nearly a decade helping to prevent the spread of AIS in Montana’s waters, Matson’s continued efforts have not gone unnoticed. Recently, Matson joined FLBS Director Jim Elser as representatives on the newly formed Western Montana Conservation Commission, a State of Montana organization that facilitates coordination between resource managers to best sustain and protect water quality and water resources across western Montana. Their work includes enhancing AIS protection around the state and garners much needed awareness to keep this issue at the forefront of the public and legislature’s mind.
Matson was also honored by the Flathead Lakers organization this past June, when they awarded him with the 2024 Flathead Lakers Flathead Lake Stewardship Award.
But in spite of the recognition, for Matson the work is far from over. While AIS boat inspections have done a great job decreasing the threat from out-of-state boaters in Montana, neighboring states haven’t been so lucky. In recent years, invasive mussels have been detected in the Snake River of Idaho, the Pactola Reservoir in South Dakota, and Highline Lake in Colorado.
Matson considers Montana fortunate that a mussel-infested boat hasn’t slipped through and introduced invasive mussels into our waters yet, which is why he believes continued collaboration is vital to the long-term success of Montana’s invasive mussel prevention.
“I feel strongly in providing overlapping rings of boater compliance and verification. With the limited daylight offered to inspectors on the highways, boats can slip past inspections after hours. A strong presence must be felt at the moment before a boat launches into a waterbody, so having someone on site to check the boats status is critical to preventing that one boat from spoiling it for us all.”