Invasive zebra mussels have been found in the upper Chesapeake Bay. On December 3, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists found young zebra mussels attached to buoys off Havre de Grace. DNR is asking boaters and anglers to be on the lookout for this harmful, invasive mussel.
Twenty live zebra mussels were found attached to the concrete anchor blocks for three channel marker buoys. DNR personnel discovered the mussels when the buoys were removed from the water for cleaning and winter storage.
DNR advises mariners who use the lower Susquehanna River and upper Bay to help prevent these harmful zebra mussels from spreading to other Maryland waters by taking several following precautions before launching and leaving the area:
– Remove all aquatic plants and mud from boats, motors, and trailers; and put the debris in trash containers.
– Drain river water from boat motors, bilges, live wells, bait buckets and coolers before leaving, to prevent these aquatic hitchhikers from riding along.
– Dispose of unused live bait on shore, far from the river or Bay or in trash containers.
– Rinse boats, motors, trailers, live wells, bait buckets, coolers and scuba gear with high pressure or hot water between trips to different water bodies.
– Dry everything at least two days (preferably five days) between outings.
– Limit boating from place to place – particularly between the Susquehanna and upper Bay to other water bodies in Maryland
The agnecy is also asking that people who live and work on the water keep an eye out for zebra mussels and call 410-260-8615 if they find anything suspicious.
Non-native, invasive zebra mussels were first found in Maryland in late 2008 at two locations in the Susquehanna River: the Conowingo Dam and further upstream at Glen Cove Marina, Harford County.
Sporadic sightings since then indicate establishment of a zebra mussel population in the lower river and downstream dispersal, but no apparent rapid increase in abundance.
source: MD DNR
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.