1 June 2000
ZEBRA MUSSELS THREATEN NORTHERN IRELAND'S WATERWAYS
The DOE's Environment and Heritage Service, in partnership with other government agencies are meeting to address the implications of the population explosion of zebra mussels in Lough Erne with the aim of curtailing their spread to other lakes and rivers.
Speaking about the potential problems EHS's Senior Scientific Officer, Bob Davidson said, "Zebra mussels are not native to Ireland. They originated from the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, but are now widespread throughout Europe and parts of North America. They are marked with a distinctive pattern of dark and pale bands, hence the "zebra" name. By attaching to the hulls of boats zebra mussels can be spread from one lake system to another.
"Zebra mussels first arrived in Lower Lough Erne in 1996. They are highly invasive and well adapted to local waters. There are now tens or hundreds of thousands per square metre on rocks and suitable substrates throughout Lough Erne."
Mr Davidson continued, "They have the potential to colonise any hard surface and can be a major problem to all water intake systems, including engine cooling systems, fish farms, drinking water abstractions and intakes to both industry and power stations. They have already affected private and public water abstraction stations on Lough Erne. People who keep their boats at Lough Erne have also discovered that they now have to deal with mussels growing on the hulls of their boats.
"The ecological impacts are less predictable. Each mussel can filter as much as one litre of water per day. This will result in a change to the ecology of the aquatic system, which could affect fish populations and other wildlife."
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
Environment and Heritage Service has joined with other government agencies to form the Northern Ireland Zebra Mussel Control Group. An updated leaflet, 'Zebra Mussels in Northern Ireland' has been produced to highlight the potential problem to both boat users and anglers and to outline precautions that must be taken to prevent the spread of this nuisance to other waterways in Northern Ireland. The Zebra Mussel Control Group is hosting a meeting on Thursday with all interested parties to raise awareness and review what action can be taken.
The zebra mussel leaflets are to be widely distributed through boating and angling outlets. Should you require any copies or if you find zebra mussels outside the Erne system please contact:
Ms Joanne Livingstone
Environment and Heritage Service
Commonwealth House
Belfast BT1 1GUTelephone: 028 9054 6550
Fax: 028 9054 6660
e-mail: joanne.livingstone@doeni.gov.uk