PARCS UPDATE #143.2 - March 10 2021

More information about Zebra Mussels shared by our PARCS members.

Yesterday you will have received our newsletter with the information from Jeri Geiger (our Sask. Invasive Species Coordinator). Today we share feedback that we received from our readers.

Thanks to Ron in Candle Lake who sent us the link to this article from BC Do you have mussels on your moss balls? B.C. officials warn about invasive zebra mussel The BC Invasive Species Council warns that destructive zebra mussels are hitching a ride on your aquarium plants The B.C. Conservation Officer Service tweeted a picture of one of the invasive species recently found on popular aquarium plants known as moss balls, originally shipped from pet suppliers in Europe. (B.C. Conservation Officer Service) B.C. officials are sounding the alarm over a tiny invasive species they say has hitched a ride into our province and could be hiding on popular decorative aquarium plants known as moss balls. Both the B.C. government and the Invasive Species Council of B.C. are asking aquarium owners to check for the deadly zebra mussel after it was discovered on such products originally sold in Washington state pet supply stores, according to statements Monday. The council said the small but mighty mussel was also found closer to home in an aquarium in Terrace, B.C., late last week. "Now that they've come in through local shipments, there's a real high alert on for checking out the aquarium to make sure that you're not actually housing an invasive mussel in your aquarium," said Gail Wallin, the executive director of the Invasive Species Council of B.C. Zebra and quagg mussels are relatively small compared to local, non-invasive species, according to the provincial website. (B.C. Government )

These tiny creatures destroy much of the plant life in the lake resulting in the loss of many fish species and changing the character of the lake. Beaches becomes unusable. They cause millions of dollars damage to infrastructure such as water works, hydroelectric plants, and irrigation pipes.

Also, thanks to Barb Hanbridge, Provincial Policy Specialist with Ducks Unlimited who shared the following: "As of yesterday Zebra mussels were also found in aqyarium plants in Alberta. This is very bad news. Please share.

If would like to read more about Zebra Mussels and about the position that PARCS has taken in lobbying the governmment, go to the bottom of the front page of our Web Site and open RESOURCE DOCUMENTS. Then open AIM TO STAB (Stop Them at the Border).