Like many invasive species, such as the Asian carp and white perch, zebra mussels have no natural predators on this continent. In their home in Russia a parasite exists that keeps the creatures at bay and they are also devoured by the goby fish.
The zebra mussel, an eastern European native that thrives in freshwater, is thought to have been introduced to the Great Lakes via transatlantic ocean liner in the mid to late 1980s
In the U.S. only a few hardy scavengers including the blue catfish, American eel and freshwater drum have been seen munching on the crunchy shells of zebra mussels, reports show. Other mussel eaters include ducks, sheephead fish, carp and sturgeon.
But with reproduction rates of up to 400,000 larvae per year by a single female, any native species have a slim chance of controlling the skyrocketing numbers of zebra mussels.
And with zebra mussels competing for food, life is likely to get tougher for the natives.
“This definitely adds another thing to help stress the environment,” said Jason Goeckler, aquatic nuisance species coordinator for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. “It makes it difficult for these (native species) that are already in peril to survive.”
Local and state officials continue to ask boaters and fishermen to thoroughly clean and dry their boats and fishing equipment to lessen the spread of the zebra mussel.
Environmental groups such as The Nature Conservancy are lobbying congress to create tougher international laws that prevent the spread of more invasive species.
According to the conservancy’s website at least 180 invasive species have been introduced to the United States due to poorly regulated shipping practices.
For more information on how to help prevent the spread of zebra mussels and laws regulating their transportation, please visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website at: http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/fishing/aquatic_nuisance_species/aquatic_nuisance_species_list/zebra_mussels/preventing_their_spread.
