New hope for Zebra Mussels - Mille Lacs Lake Fishing (Fishing Reports, Events, Tournament Information and more)

walleyeslayer · Member

New hope for Zebra Mussels

Muskymadness · Veteran Member

Sounds like some hope, but like mentioned earlier, sometimes the environment has ways to keep itself in check.

tat2jonnie · Senior Member

I'd be REAL cautious of introducing a bacteria to fight these things. They don't know how it could affect the overall environment. Sometimes the cure is worse than the symptoms.

(Remember the asian beetle they brought to the U.S. to control agricultural pests in the 80's ?)

I'd hate for the lake to end up on the SyFi channel.

RussDaBuss · Member

Good points guys. Very interesting findings though. I say test it on another lake first and see how it goes! aww

These darn critters are building up more and more every time I go up there I see the masses getting bigger. Sooner or later they have to level themselves out and kill some off.

This bacteria is very hopefull but as stated I think they will have to do some heavy studies to it before introducing it. Kind of like taking a medication. It helps the problem you are taking it for but how many other side effects are there that come along with it..??

walleyeslayer · Member

I agree, the asian beetle "cure" was the first thing that entered my mind when I saw the video. Another question I have, does the plant that produces the bacteria have the potencial to become another envasive species? Hopefully the plant wouldn't even be considered if that were the case.

tat2jonnie · Senior Member

That's probably how this plant will invade. Thing is, it's all got an impact on the lake's ecosystem.

Now check this method of gettin' rid of 'em.

http://www.ener-tec.com/OurProductLine/ZebraMusselControl/tabid/59/Default.aspx

-- Edited by tat2jonnie on Wednesday 14th of September 2011 09:26:40 PM

walleyeslayer · Member

I like it!! But, my first thought is what about other shell producing aquatic life? The perfect soultion will wipe out the Zebra Mussles while not affecting other parts of the ecosystem. It's amazing to me that company's can come up with these things. I like the fact that the ideas are starting to flow. I feel that a soultion is just around the bend.

mbenson · Member

Solutions around the bend are great for the ones we currently have, but can't we get our government to understand the appropriate conservation measures all start with some type of treatment of the ballast water from the oceanic freighters on the Great Lakes!!!

Oh, that's right I forgot, our government doesn't even care if the asian carp get into the Great Lakes!!! furious furious

-- Edited by mbenson on Friday 16th of September 2011 01:52:24 PM