Beware the Zebra, beware the Quagga

Times Contributor  

 

There is something out there waiting … waiting to let its microscopic larvae creep onto your boots, onto your swimming suits, into your fishing cooler and they are hiding in the hidden corners of your boat. It eats plankton; it eats toxic chemicals and sucks the nutrients out of its prey or smothers them to death. Whole zones of waterways have been polluted by their kind; they destroy habitats in their wake and clog up sewer and water pipes. They are moving north and west towards Alberta.

It is not the monster from the latest summer horror flick; it is the reality of the invasive species zebra and quagga mussels. 

Jay White an Alberta professional biologist from Aquality Consulting Services came to Wheatland County council on June 17, to advise the county of the essential actions needed to keep our waterways clear of invasive species.

“This is one of the biggest threats facing fresh water economy and ecology,” said White. 

He said the infestation of these mussels causes over $75 million in damages to infrastructure each year. They were originally found in the Great Lakes; where the species was brought to Canada from continents overseas, hitchhiking in bilge water and on hulls of ships. It has made its way down waterways into the eastern United States (U.S.) and has now been spotted in lakes in the western U.S. and California regions. Recently, they have been found in Lake Winnipeg, and the Energy, Resources and Sustainable Development officials, along with the federal fisheries department, want to see the spread contained. Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia are currently clear of the threat, but officials want to stop the spread.

Snowbirds are inadvertently carrying them back on boats purchased in the U.S., or through cross-border recreational activity. Border patrols have been set up to pull vehicles over and conduct inspections, with a requirement the vessels be cleaned and re-inspected before entering Canada. Twelve boats were detained last year and one, so far this year, had a confirmed infestation. 

The battle begins by cleaning and scrubbing watercraft, trailers and gear away from storm drains, ditches or waterways. Drain all the water from bait pails, ballasts, coolers and internal compartments before you leave the original water source. Wipe down and dry out the watercraft and gear between trips. Soak felt waders, gear and clothing used in foreign water sources, in hot water for 40 minutes and use a two percent bleach solution to clean non-absorbent surfaces. Let everything dry for at least two days, before you reuse it in water again.

White said one good indicator to determine if a mussel-like structure is one of these species is to see if it sticks on any surface …if it does; it is most likely a zebra or quagga mussel. The quagga is slightly larger than the smaller striped zebra cousin. These mussels are not edible, have no predators except the round gobi fish, which is also an invasive species. There is no known way to kill the mussels, short of steaming all surfaces with 140 degree Fahrenheit heated water, letting the surfaces dry and leaving the boat out of the water for more than 30 days, as they can survive on land for that amount of time.

In a program similar to the rat-free Alberta program, officials are asking everyone to be on the lookout for signs of possible contamination. A hot line has been set up so reports can be given 24/7 to confirm sightings and eradicate the threat of their spread into Western Canada. Call 1-855-336-2628 if you suspect contamination and officials will investigate.

There are other invasive species; just a few examples are the Eurasian milfoil, flowering rush and rusty crayfish.

For more information on the mussels, other invasive species and the programs to protect our native fish and ecosystems see www.esrd.alberta.ca.