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The Northern Ireland Environment Agency
(NIEA) has warned of the economic and ecological dangers of
Zebra Mussels after a new discovery.
The Zebra Mussel, an Invasive Alien Species, has been found
for the first time at Lough Bresk, Co Fermanagh. NIEA officials
confirmed the finding after it was reported by concerned local
anglers.
Invasive Alien Species are organisms from abroad which establish
themselves in local habitats and damage native species by
out-competing with them for food, preying on them, altering
their habitat or by introducing disease.
Zebra Mussels, native to the lakes of southeast Russia, attach
themselves on the stony lake bottom, but also to any hard
surface - such as boats, buoys and water intake pipes - where
they form very dense clusters and are principally spread via
recreational water use. The first sighting in Northern Ireland
was in 1994 at Lough Erne and they have since been reported
in Lough Neagh.
The government’s Zebra Mussel Control group has warned that
they can cause blockages in intake pipes which increases costs
to both water treatment plants and to boat users.
Zebra Mussel’s have significantly altered fish communities
in Lough Erne and hence are a major risk to the future of
some freshwater fisheries. This may result in a decline in
income to commercial fisheries and to the recreational tourist
industry.
Additionally, excessive weed growth in Lough Erne, as a result
of zebra mussels, has caused serious problems for boat users
and has affected the tourism trade.
Bob Davidson of NIEA, who chairs the Zebra Mussel Control
Group, said - "It is important that water users are aware
of the impacts of Zebra Mussels. Impacts that have been recorded
at Lough Erne emphasise the importance of preventing them
from spreading to other lakes. Prevention of spread is an
issue of shared responsibility and we are asking all water
users to follow the guidance issued.
“Unfortunately, Zebra Mussels have spread to a number of
unconnected lakes since their first arrival in the Erne system
in 1994. I would encourage water users to be aware of their
presence and, if they do find them outside the Lough Erne
and Lough Neagh system, to report them to NIEA, as the anglers
did in this case."
For guidance/advice on preventing the spread of the zebra
mussel - Click
Here
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