Concern as zebra mussels found in Lough Neagh

The discovery of zebra mussels in Lough Neagh has sparked concern that the highly invasive freshwater species has spread to Lough Neagh.

The discovery of five zebra mussels on the hull of a boat taken from its berth in Kinnego Marina, Lough Neagh, has sparked an investigation into the extent of the spread of this destructive mussel species in the largest freshwater lake in Ireland.

Bob Davison of the Environment and Heritage Service said: "The boat has been moored in that berth since May 2005 and there is no reason to believe that the boat brought the zebra mussels into the lake, as it had not been in any other lake such as Lough Erne where zebra mussel are already well established. No other zebra mussels have yet been seen in the lake.

"We have started an investigation into how widely they have colonised the lake. We do not know if the mussels are confined to Kinnego Bay or if they are already present throughout the lough.

"We are very concerned that zebra mussels may be established in Lough Neagh. Invasions of alien species are the biggest threat to native biodiversity after habitat destruction and the zebra mussel is ranked among the world's 100 worst invasive species.

"Over the next few weeks we will be working with other government departments to find out how widespread the mussels are and to work out how best to reduce the problems for users. We will let people know what the situation is as we develop a better picture"

Zebra mussels first invaded Irish waterways in 1994 and spread rapidly throughout the Shannon-Erne waterway and connected canals and lakes.

In July this year, the DOE expressed concern that zebra mussels were present in Carran Lough, Derrygonnelly, which is not connected to the navigable Shannon/Erne system.

This was the first confirmed sighting of zebra mussels outside the Erne Navigation in Northern Ireland since they were discovered in Lough Erne in 1997. Zebra mussels, a native of the Caspian Sea, have major impacts on the ecology of lakes and should they become established in Lough Neagh there will be unpredictable implications for fish, birds, water abstraction, navigation, sand dredging and many other interests.

Forming large colonies on almost any hard surface, dealing with zebra mussels in Lough Erne required modifications at the Killyhevlin Water Treatment Plant, costing over £100,000.

(SP/KMcA)