Spread of foreign mega mussels are a threat to our waters
‘Invasive’ species harms wildlife and pipes
Not wanted...the quagga mussels have invaded British waters
BRITAIN’S waterways are alert after the discovery “invasive” foreign shellfish.
The quagga mussel, which can harm wildlife and cause water pipe blockages, has now been spotted at several points in British waters.
The sightings have caused a panic among environmental officials.
The quagga is native to Eastern Europe but is feared to be spreading through the UK’s rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
A mature quagga is capable of producing up to one million eggs per year, meaning it can starve out native populations and damage freshwater environments.
The mussels are one of several invasive non-native species thought to cost Britain £1.8billion a year. on of red an
The quagga was most recently found beside the River Trent at Hall Reservoir in Lincolnshire.
But the species was also spotted 50 miles away at RutlandWater.
The discoveries in a routine survey came as a “complete surprise” to Anglian Water, which owns both reservoirs.
The first quagga mussels in the UK were found in the River Wraysbury near Heathrow Airport in 2014.
Scientists do not know how the pest has jumped to other regions, raising fears that the infestation is far more widely spread than first thought.
Experts have pointed out that the species pose no threat to drinking water or quality.
But the mussels are known to block pipes, smother boats’ hulls and
irreversibly alter the ecology of water inlets and outlets.
Chris Gerrard, biodiversity manager at Anglian Water, said: “These are significant biofoulers, meaning we will have to regularly go in to remove these pipes getting blocked.
“It is an extra cost burden on us to manage the routine protection of our assets.
“Anybody who cares for and visits the water environment really should be aware of the importance of biosecurity in our reservoirs or freshwater sites.”
Dr Emily Smith, environment manager at the Angling Trust, said the mussels could usher in other invasive organisms from Europe.
She said: “There’s loads of other invasive species that we don’t have in the UK yet which are in Europe. The quagga will make it more suitable for them and could bring about invasional meltdown.”
Defra is now preparing “an appropriate biosecurity response” to the invasion.
It is backing the Check, Clean, Dry campaign to educate people using British waters to monitor and clean equipment and clothing.