Freshwater mussels a problem in stillwater?

[Phone]

Philo,

 

Type "scholar" in Google - select Google Scholar - type in "swan mussels".

 

You will see this sort of stuff ::

 

As asymptomatic KHV carriers, freshwater mollusks from the Unionidae family (swan mussels, Anodonta cygnea) and crustaceans from the Gammaridae family (scud, Gammarus pulex) were studied because of their unique method of feeding by accumulating bacterial and viral particles. The KHV genome was detected by nested PCR and confirmed by PCR recognizing the KHV glycoprotein gene in ORF 56 (KHV-U). Both PCR and nested PCR, which recognize the KHV thymidine kinase gene, always produced negative results in the swan mussels and scud samples.

 

Now as for getting a handle on the population - it would be like eradicating any other creature - nearly impossible.

 

Phone

[Ken L]

Eliminate the aeration system, the nitrate sequestration system, the natural oxygenation system and the filtration system in a water that is known to suffer periodic fish kills.......Yep, makes perfect sense.

 

Will these anglers be prepared to restock the fishery from their own pockets if their meddling with the ecosystem results in a loss of the stock?

Edited June 26, 2015 by Ken L

[philocalist]

Thanks for the comments and help so far guys - FWIW Ken, your comments are entirely in accord with my own beliefs and feelings (and, in fairness, with most clued-in members of the club, though I suspect that they may word it a bit differently )

The problem I'm faced with is getting across points as important as this to loud individuals who might understand half of what is said if I'm lucky - then subsequently ignored.

Strangely enough, I'm actually beginning to relish the confrontation, particularly as I've nothing whatsoever to gain by backing down......

[Ken L]

Can't help with a study but as part of the mussels life cycle is as a fish parasite, you could always float an enormous straw man by suggesting that the only way to remove the mussels is to completely drain the lake, dispose of the entire stock, remove the top 30cm of sediment along with the mussels, poison what's left and then refill the lake and restock from a certified swann mussel free source.

 

Alternatively, sneak a proposal to remove any carp onto the meeting agenda and watch the swann mussels get forgotten in the resulting fit of apoplexy.

[RUDD]

Remove mussel's, water gets coloured, no plants grow, oxygen levels drop, heat wave - fish kill.

Match anglers blame committee, committee resign, match anglers take over and mess up every club water.

[OTIB]

I would just point out that the mussels are a necessary requirement in maintaining a healthy water quality. As pointed out by keepers of Koi carp, you keep water not Koi.

 

The mindset of some anglers is extraordinary, they have a unique lake to fish, and yet they are intent on killing the goose...etc.

 

If all else fails then propose a vote.

[barry luxton]

Sneak a proposal to remove any non native zander (loved by TAT's illegal fisheries enforcement guru) onto the meeting agenda and watch the swann mussels get forgotten in the resulting fit of apoplexy.

just tidied it up for you.

[Anderoo]

Freshwater mussels are, I'm pretty sure, a protected species. Double check, but if so it's illegal to move them.

[Vagabond]

Freshwater mussels are, I'm pretty sure, a protected species. Double check, but if so it's illegal to move them.

I believe you are thinking of pearl mussels, which are certainly protected.

 

Could not find anything that says swan mussels are protected - but no doubt if they are, our more energetic searchers will dig the fact out.

[Steve Walker]

I had a look, and came to the same conclusion.

 

Advice for committee - it isn't broken. Quit trying to fix it, or you *will* break it.