Commissioner urges review of commercial import controls after mussels found at inspection stations

During the April 16 Big Tent Committee meeting, Commissioner Steve Parker raised concerns about recent detections of invasive mussels on vessels inspected at agency stations and asked whether the department currently has the authority to require inspection certificates or other controls for commercial shippers.

Parker recounted a prior case in which a tugboat arriving from the Great Lakes was stopped at an inspection station and crew removed invasive mussels. "Why should that be their responsibility and not the shipper's responsibility?" he asked, suggesting the agency consider options such as requiring a certificate of inspection for commercial vessels or identifying legislative authority gaps.

Committee members agreed the subject appears to belong to the Fish Committee and asked Parker to pursue the issue there. The chair and commissioners encouraged consultation with the aquatic invasive species director and agency staff to determine what authorities exist and whether legislative changes are needed.

No formal action was taken at the Big Tent meeting; the item was flagged for further study and referral to the Fish Committee.