Bacteria Could Help Control Invasive Species Like Quagga Mussel

How about this, a few days after exotic mussels popped up at some more fisheries out West (this time in Utah), there’s news that a bacteria may just solve the mussel problem plaguing many of our favorite fisheries.

According to PhysOrg.com, “The bacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, offers some hope for controlling the troublesome bivalves that are wreaking ecological and economic havoc in North American waters from the Colorado River to Vermont, and especially in the Great Lakes.”

Invasive species like the Quagga mussel have been making quite a stir this year.

The destructive non-native species was recently discovered in California and is now forcing some Southern California lakes to ban boats from outside the area, according to the Los Angeles Times.

In the Great Lakes area, Quagga mussels have covered everything from boat engines and steering equipment to water transport facilities. The spread of the Quagga could result in millions of dollars in damage to water transport facilities.

You can read more about the Quagga mussel and how to prevent it here.

Photo courtesy California DFG.