Zebra Mussels - Too Toxic for ‘Taste Of”
Photo: That’s a lot of mussel. A beach in Northern Michigan and its zebra mussels. Photo courtesy of the Watershed Council of Northern Michigan.
While I was sitting at the Great Lakes United table at the Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts a few weeks ago, a visitor asked if we could harvest and eat zebra mussels. They commented that they are everywhere, and that if we can eat other mussels, so why not harvest and eat the zebra mussels?
Could Buffalo become known not only for its amazing chicken wings, but also its legendary zebra mussel chowder?
I wouldn’t count on it. Not only is the zebra mussel much smaller than mussels you may enjoy at a restaurant, the adult is about the size of a fingernail, only growing to a maximum length of about one and a half inches. But, I would go to great lengths to prevent any humans or animals from eating them. Zebra mussels & their close cousin, the quagga mussel, which has also invaded the Great Lakes are incredible filter feeders, and their ability to clear water means better growing conditions for a bacteria that produces a dangerous toxin.
This toxin is known as botulism. The zebra mussel ingests the bacteria and concentrates the toxin in its tissue. While this does not affect the mussel, the botulism toxin is passed to fish that eat that the mussels. And like so many chemical and biological threats in nature, this toxin can work its way up the food chain. Have you ever seen a waterbird dying on the beach that does not appear to have a broken wing but cannot move? Is the bird still alive but cannot lift its head or flap its wings? It’s likely infected with the botulism toxin from eating contaminated fish weakened by botulism.
While this is a bit of simplified explanation, it shows the interconnectedness of our Great Lakes ecosystems. When someone wonders how little mussels could really have a huge impact, explain the effect that little mussels have on sea gulls, loons, and walleye. As another summer passes, another season of beach visits has been tainted with dead fish and birds. While the water may look clearer, the mussels are doing damage that is irreversible to our Lakes. The zebra and quagga mussels are so widespread it may be beyond removing them. Our only chance now is to control them. And to prevent the next invasive species from taking over our Lakes and changing them forever. Visit www.glu.org to learn more about what our communities and governments can do to prevent another ecological and economic crisis like the zebra mussel.
Look familiar? Birds dying from exposure to the botulism toxin is a sight too common on Great Lakes beaches. This photo, from the Michigan Sea Grant could have been at any of our Lake Erie beaches this summer.
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ElmwoodBoy
Ugh. What is the impact upon the fish stocks, and its future?
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whynot
I understand that Zebra mussels are a nuisance and can be toxic to birds, but aren't they attributed to the clean-up of toxins and other deritus from the Great Lakes in the roughly 20 years since they were introduced to the environment? It is my understanding that the water in the Great Lakes is cleaner, both in clarity and from impurities, primarily because of the Zebra mussels. The speculation is that the bacteria and pollution in the Great Lakes would be significantly higher today if the mussels did not exist, and may have reahed the point were much of the water would be unsafe for consumption if these toxins weren't filtered by millions of these tiny creatures.
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UnionAMG
It's the Circle of Life And it moves us all Through despair and hope Through faith and love Till we find our place On the path unwinding In the Circle The Circle of Life
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enrique14150
Indeed, the increased clarity of the water is in a large part due to the zebra mussels. My history professors in undergrad used to love the "Law of Unintended Consequences." The lake has a big problem with the 'dead zone' that develops in the middle, where biological processes from algae and bacteria result in an oxygen-depleted area where no life can be sustained. A lot of this is due to the increased clarity, which allows for this growth, as well as nutrient loading from fertilizer runoff from streams and rivers into the lake. You wouldn't think that clear water would be such an issue, but it all depends on what else is there. It makes you appreciate the complexity of nature, and how it is always changing. One thing reacts to another, and then to another, etc. Zebra mussels just need their ecological counterweight, something that will balance them with everything else. Maybe the Asian carp in the Mississippi is the answer (just joking).
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Keith
Lake Sturgeon are already in there and love zebra mussels. This should have a long-term positive impact on this fish.
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Buffalo21stcentury
Zebra Mussels arent just filters..their calcium based shells also lock up alot of toxins and pollutants.
By the way there is atleast one native Great Lakes species that feeds off Zebra Mussels and has been saved from extinction because of them. Its the Great Lakes Sturgeon which has gone from near extinction in western Lake Erie to a comparatively booming population. Great Lakes Caviar anyone.
The problems with our Great Lakes will never end until we get our sewars and run off under control...
The Great Lakes were one of the greatest ecosystems in the world, Nearly every city had a fishing fleet....do you see a fisheries industry in Buffalo hauling back the catch of the day?
Fahgeddabowd the goal being water diversion or pollution....the end goal must be restoring the Great Lakes as a healthy fishery. A healthy fishery is worth more than sewar plants and agricultural runoff.
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