Saw a poster in a marina on Chesapeake Bay warning about zebra mussels and their adverse impacts on boats and boating. Did not know it was serious in Bay
What is the latest on this??
What is the latest on this??
Zebra Mussels
- Thread starter noprob2
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This invasive species originally from the Black and Caspian Sea was introduced into US waters in the ballast of commercial shipping and has spread across the country attached to boats. At least five days out of the water is required to kill this pest. A thorough cleaning of your boat when leaving a body of water contaminated with mussels is the best defense.
In the Great Lakes, the sport fishing industry is being effected for some species of fish because the mussels compete for the plankton that are at the bottom of the food web.
Eventually, every inland lake and coastal water will have much clearer water clogged engines and water intakes thanks to this pest. Last summer on a trip to Sedona I was surprised to learn that Zebra and Quagga mussels have become a serious problem in ARIZONIA
From the Arizonia Fish and Game Department website at: http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/zebra_mussels.shtml
“Prolific quagga mussels have invaded lakes Pleasant, Havasu, Mead and Mohave. These tiny invaders can easily hitchhike on your boat – 10,000 or more microscopic larvae to fit into a teaspoon of water. So please DON’T Move A Mussel,” said Tom McMahon, invasive species coordinator for the Game and Fish Department.
In fact, these tiny invaders are so prolific that a single adult quagga mussel can produce up to a half-million microscopic larvae in a single year and can eventually carpet vast areas of a lake. So please Drain, Clean and Dry your boat each and every time you visit a lake – any lake.
1. Drain the water from the boat, livewell and the lower unit
2. Clean the hull and remove all plant and animal material
3. Dry the boat and inspect all exposed surfaces ?
Read more about this issue at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_mussel
In the Great Lakes, the sport fishing industry is being effected for some species of fish because the mussels compete for the plankton that are at the bottom of the food web.
Eventually, every inland lake and coastal water will have much clearer water clogged engines and water intakes thanks to this pest. Last summer on a trip to Sedona I was surprised to learn that Zebra and Quagga mussels have become a serious problem in ARIZONIA
From the Arizonia Fish and Game Department website at: http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/zebra_mussels.shtml
“Prolific quagga mussels have invaded lakes Pleasant, Havasu, Mead and Mohave. These tiny invaders can easily hitchhike on your boat – 10,000 or more microscopic larvae to fit into a teaspoon of water. So please DON’T Move A Mussel,” said Tom McMahon, invasive species coordinator for the Game and Fish Department.
In fact, these tiny invaders are so prolific that a single adult quagga mussel can produce up to a half-million microscopic larvae in a single year and can eventually carpet vast areas of a lake. So please Drain, Clean and Dry your boat each and every time you visit a lake – any lake.
1. Drain the water from the boat, livewell and the lower unit
2. Clean the hull and remove all plant and animal material
3. Dry the boat and inspect all exposed surfaces ?
Read more about this issue at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_mussel
In lake Champlain ten years ago they were few and far between, now after an overnight anchorage there are bound to be a few on the anchor only after 24 hours. The chains that hold the docks in place at our marina quadruple their weight from the little crustaceans over the course of the season. Big problem.
NoProb...
there has been some reported in the Chesapeake from ballast dumps, but I haven't heard it reaching any alarming level. Give Paul Esterle at Nor' Easter Magazine a call to see if he or the staff there have any up-to-date info.
there has been some reported in the Chesapeake from ballast dumps, but I haven't heard it reaching any alarming level. Give Paul Esterle at Nor' Easter Magazine a call to see if he or the staff there have any up-to-date info.
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