A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
June 4, 2008
3. Watersheds –
Invasion of the mollusks: Quagga and zebra mussels pose a threat to
The
The
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Invasion of the mollusks: Quagga and zebra mussels pose a threat to
The
By Marek Warszawski
Because quagga and zebra mussels are spread primarily through human-related activities, the Department of Fish and Game is asking for cooperation from boaters to prevent these destructive species from gaining a foothold in the
Many other areas of the state have been on high alert since last fall, when quagga mussels were discovered in numerous places along the Colorado River drainage, including Lake Mead,
Although these close cousins, which belong to the same family of shellfish, have yet to turn up in the Valley, their history suggests it's only a matter of time.
"Right now there's not really anything keeping people from coming up here and spreading these mussels," said Mark Watson, the quagga/zebra mussel biologist for DFG Region 4, which is headquartered in
Once established, fast-reproducing quagga and zebra mussels can destroy a lake's ecology by overwhelming vital elements of the food chain. They also can clog waterway infrastructure and damage boats.
Quagga and zebra mussels are typically about the size of a fingernail but can grow up to 2 inches in diameter. After attaching to hard surfaces, including metal, glass, plastic and wood, they feed themselves by consuming microscopic plants and animals from the water. Each adult mussel can filter up to one liter of water per day.
"They filter out all the food, and the native fish don't have anything left to eat," Watson said. "It basically changes the whole ecosystem."
These invaders colonize on hulls, engines and steering components of boats and other watercraft. Reproducing rapidly, they also can attach themselves to piers, pipes and fish screens, blocking water intake and hampering municipal water supplies, irrigation systems and power plants.
The potential economic impacts are staggering.
"The consequences can be very severe," said Steve Haugen, watermaster of the Kings River Water Association. "Once they get here, it's management of them -- not elimination. You have to live with them."
Quagga and zebra mussels are native to
Zebra mussels were first detected in
Once these invasive mussels started turning up in
All vessels launching at
So far, the response throughout the central
Calvin Foster, area manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages recreation on several area reservoirs, said his agency is in the discussion and planning stages with the DFG.
"We don't have any room in our budget to just go out and inspect boats," Foster said. "But we'll support those activities, for sure."
At
Even though he hasn't received any directives on how to deal with mussels, Coyle said he has handed out fliers and discussed the issue with boat owners. He described current awareness levels at
"Out of 10 boaters I talk to about these mussels, maybe one in 10 knows what they are," Coyle said. "Most people go, 'What are you talking about? What's a quagga mussel?' "
Watson, the DFG biologist, said the best way to keep quagga and zebra mussels from spreading is through proper care by boat owners.
Vessels must be thoroughly washed and dried upon leaving the water, including bilge pumps, live wells and outboard unit, and should sit for at least five days between trips to different freshwater lakes.
Why so long? Quagga and zebra mussels can survive out of water for up to a week.
"Keep your boat clean and dry before you launch it," Watson said. "That's the best advice I can give."#
http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/story/644980.html
The
By , Outdoors Columnist
PORTOLA - As a young man, Justin Dollard remembers wading into
"Being a passionate angler, I could catch trout that were all immense in size," he said. "Back then,
Fact is,
"We hope to quickly re-establish
For anglers like Dollard, the change couldn't come sooner.
In September 2007, the lake's fishery was completely killed when the state moved to eradicate the predatory, non-native northern pike that had been illegally introduced. Officials treated the
State officals believed the lake had to be treated because of the threat of the invasive pike that might have escaped from the reservoir and swam downstream through the
An attempt to eradicate the pike in 1997 was unsuccessful and controversial, with little public support. It took 11 years before a coalition of local citizens, state and federal agencies agreed on a plan to rid the lake of pike. The plan was carried out eight months ago.
"The lake is healthy again, and the fishery should continue to get back on its feet," Dollard said. "A whole age timeline of fish are being stocked from fingerlings and sub-catchables and catches, up to some real large broodstock. Most all are Eagle Lake-strain rainbows, a superior fighting fish."
While the lake is literally plugged with trout, including major releases of rainbows as large as 15 pounds just before Memorial Day and 31,000 catchable-sized to 3-pounders in January, fishing has been pretty slow for bank anglers and fly fishers. Only trollers are enjoying "wide open" action and quick five-fish limits.
"Fishing is slow to come back," Karen Mazingo of Portola said. "But the trout are in the lake, and there are tens of thousands more coming."
Dollard touts trolling about 6 feet deep with wooly bugger flies, Needlefish or Dick Knight lures. There hasn't been a sustained warming trend, so the bulk of the trout are hanging just under the surface.
"People seem excited to get back up to the lake," said Dollard, who acknowledged there are fewer travelers this year because of higher fuel prices. "Most who are coming are anglers, and they've given an economic boost to the whole region. They've made an immediate, positive impact, and the prospect of catching quality-sized rainbows will keep them coming."
Dollard, who manages a retail market in Portola, said most of the trout he's seen have weighed 5 to 8 pounds. Some trout have $10 reward tags that Fish and Game will use to determine catch and growth rates at the nutritionally rich lake.#
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080604/A_SPORTS03/806040310
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