Zebra Mussels Detected in Saint John River Watershed for the First Time
Photo: Dave Britton, US Fish & Wildlife Service
We are saddened to share that an established Zebra Mussel population has been discovered in Lac Témiscouata, just across the border into Québec, which flows into New Brunswick’s Madawaska River and then the Wolastoq (St. John) River. The situation is being monitored by respective government agencies and plans are being made to assess any spread beyond the lake
While no populations have been detected in New Brunswick to date, we ask that anyone spending time in the Madawaska or upper Wolastoq (St. John) River to keep an eye out and report any suspected sightings. It is also important to be extra vigilant and CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boat, trailer, and other recreational equipment any time you leave these waterbodies.
The location of Lake Témiscouata, circled in red.
Background
Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are a small invasive freshwater mussel from southwestern Europe (specifically the Black and Caspian Seas) that first arrived in the Great Lakes in the1980s through infested ballast water that was discharged from ships. Since then, they have been spreading through eastern Canada and the United States impacting ecosystems, recreational activities, and infrastructure.
Impacts
Photo: Dave Britton, US Fish & Wildlife Service.
Zebra mussels are filter feeders that will attach themselves to any solid surfaces touching infested waterways, such as boats, docks, rocks, plants, and native mussels. The females can produce up to 1 million eggs per breeding season, and the free-swimming veligers (larvae) can float in the water column for up to a month before attaching to available surfaces ,colonizing in densities of up to 700,00 individual mussels per m2.
The presence of zebra mussels can negatively impact freshwater ecosystems by:
Filtering water to the point where important food sources like plankton are depleted, which alters food webs. The over-filtering also creates clear water,llowing sunlight to penetrate deeper which can increasegrowth area of invasive aquatic plants like Eurasian Watermilfoil.
Increasing toxic algae blooms, pathogenic bacteria, avian botulism, which impacts fish and wildlife.
Altering spawning areas by changing the materials on the bottom on the waterways, which impacts fish egg survival
Since they are capable of heavily colonizing on various surfaces, they can also negatively impact recreational activities and vital infrastructure. Due to their razor-sharp shell, recreational users are at a risk of cutting their feet while walking on beaches or swimming in water infested by zebra mussels. These invasive mussels are also responsible for clogging intake structures used by water treatments facilities and power plants. The management of zebra mussels can also be costly for local government agencies. Between 2017 and 2019, municipalities in Ontario reported spending $4.5 million annually on the control, prevention, and detection of these mussels.
What Can I Do?
Clean, Drain, and Dry any recreational equipment (boats, canoes, kayaks, fishing gear, etc.) before entering a new body of water. Learn more on our Clean, Drain, Dry page.
Learn how to identify zebra mussels
Report any sightings immediately to NBISC by emailing director@nbinvasives.ca or by phone at (506) 262-6247. You can also report the sighting directly to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by calling 1-866-759-6600 or emailing Invaders.glf@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Please include the following information:
The exact location of the sighting (GPS coordinates)
The observation date
Identifying features
Photos of the mussel(s)
For more information about zebra mussels and how to identify them, visit this web page.