Zebra Mussels 'Invade' Lough Bresk

The Zebra Mussel, an 'Invasive Alien Species', has been found for the first time at Lough Bresk, Co. Fermanagh.

Invasive Alien Species are organisms from abroad which establish themselves in local habitats and damage native species by out-competing with them for food, preying on them, altering their habitat or by introducing disease.

Zebra Mussels, native to the lakes of southeast Russia, attach themselves on the stony lake bottom but also to any hard surface, such as boats, buoys and water intake pipes, where they form very dense clusters and are principally spread via recreational water use. The first sighting in the North was in 1994 at Lough Erne and they have since been reported in Lough Neagh.

The Government's Zebra Mussel Control group has warned that they can cause blockages in intake pipes which increases costs to both water treatment plants and to boat users.

Zebra Mussel's have significantly altered fish communities in Lough Erne and hence are a major risk to the future of some freshwater fisheries. This may result in a decline in income to commercial fisheries and to the recreational tourist industry.