Invasive quagga mussel discovered in Northern Ireland - no way to stop it

The quagga mussel has been discovered at Lower Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh (PA) PA

The first confirmed case of the highly invasive quagga mussel has been discovered in Northern Ireland. Environment Minister Andrew Muir confirmed the finding in Lower Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh, warning it represents "another significant pressure to our already beleaguered freshwater system."

The discovery marks a critical moment for the region's waterways. The species, native to Ukraine, has no effective control or eradication method once established. Officials fear rapid spread through connected water systems, potentially reaching Lough Neagh.

DNA analysis at Queen's University Belfast confirmed the species identity from samples collected by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) stated: «It is therefore plausible that quagga are already present but undetected in intermediate waterbodies, including Upper Lough Erne.»

Threat and Response

The quagga mussel threatens native wildlife, can block water pipes causing flooding, and infects water supplies. Unlike the similar zebra mussel, it occupies a wider range of depths and eventually outcompetes other species.

Rose Muir from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's invasive species team emphasized the biosecurity challenge. «There is no effective control or eradication method for quagga mussel once it has established in a water body,» she said. «The best method of slowing the spread and reducing the risk to other water bodies is by applying better biosecurity through the Check, Clean, Dry approach.»

Water users must follow strict protocols when moving between bodies of water. The species spreads through recreational boating, angling traffic, and equipment like paddle boards or canoes moving between locations.

Rapid European Spread

The mussel has spread rapidly across Western Europe, North America, and Mexico over recent decades. Britain first recorded cases in 2014. Ireland confirmed findings in Loughs Ree and Derg and the main River Shannon system in 2021.

Dr Kevin Gallagher, senior scientific officer at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, stressed the urgency. «The confirmation of quagga mussel in Lower Lough Erne is significant given the connectivity of major water bodies,» he said. «Once established, this species can spread rapidly and cause substantial ecological and economic impacts, including altered food webs and infrastructure fouling.»

Officials believe the mussel likely arrived through the Shannon-Erne corridor, taking advantage of connected waterways.

Minister Muir called for "increased vigilance and surveillance" across the region. His officials are engaging with stakeholders and public agencies to implement enhanced biosecurity measures. Cross-border cooperation continues through the Shared Island Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative.

Daera is now identifying other waterways for immediate sampling and assessing potential spread pathways. Enhanced surveillance will focus on connected systems to limit further expansion of this destructive species.

Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).