Cottagers shocked by multiplying molluscs
Zebra-mussel invasion massive
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/09/2016 (2736 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
BEACONIA BEACH — An invasion of zebra mussels has left east Lake Winnipeg cottage owners shocked at how fast they have multiplied.
Residents of Island Beach — a cottage development just north of Beaconia Beach — were describing the number of mussels they saw washed up on the shoreline for several days last week like they were describing the aftermath of a blizzard.
They said the mussels were about a third of a metre deep in places along the shore before weekend storms took most of them away.
“That’s the worst I’ve seen,” said longtime cottage owner Dave Craigie.
“I’ve never seen incredible clumps of them like this. I’m hoping that if we get an ice cold winter it will deter them but it’s probably just another thing that will stay here.”
On Thursday, there were still numerous mussels — about a centimetre or so in length — filling in the cracks and open spaces between the rocks and stones at the shoreline.
It was just two summers ago — in 2014 — the province declared success after closing off four harbours in the lake to treat them with potash to kill the mussels.
But shortly after the harbours were reopened, local fishers found evidence of the mussels elsewhere in the lake, forcing the province to admit defeat.
Since then, the province has set up decontamination stations at some busy marinas so people can remove the mussels from their boats. It has also launched a public education campaign to discourage the spread of mussels into other lakes.
A provincial spokesperson was unavailable to speak to the Free Press on Thursday.
Dave Crabb, president of the Manitoba Association of Cottage Owners, said he has reconciled it’s too late to stop them spreading throughout Lake Winnipeg, but he’s still upset about it.
“I’m saddened at the rate they have multiplied,” Crabb said. “Now I tell dog owners it is imperative they keep their pets out of the water. I have seen their paws get sliced up when they walk on the mussels.
“I never thought I’d ever have to say that.”
Island Beach cottage owner Ron Warren said he can’t believe how thick the mussels were on the sand.
“I swam out there lots and walked out there for years,” he said. “Now you need water shoes when you go in the water.”
Another cottager, Evelyn Johannson, said “I didn’t think they’d spread that fast.”
“I’ve never seen them before, but this year I’ve seen them. No one had to tell me what they were. I wouldn’t go in that water now.”
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin Rollason
Reporter
Kevin Rollason is one of the more versatile reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether it is covering city hall, the law courts, or general reporting, Rollason can be counted on to not only answer the 5 Ws — Who, What, When, Where and Why — but to do it in an interesting and accessible way for readers.
History
Updated on Friday, September 30, 2016 6:41 AM CDT: Adds photos
Updated on Friday, September 30, 2016 10:40 AM CDT: Tweaks photo caption.