Kalamalka Lake and the case of the mysterious B.C. mussel

The case of a mysterious mussel in Kalamalka Lake near Vernon, B.C. is reminding Okanagan boat owners of the harmthe invasive species could pose if they ever reached B.C.

Last week, whenRandall Yakuchukfound a mussel attached to the hull of his boat, his first concern was thatit was a zebra or quagga two species of invasive mussel wreaking havoc in other parts of Canada.

Zebra mussels have infestedLake Winnipeg in Manitoba despite that province's best efforts to stop them. The mussels breed so prolifically they choke out other animalsin a body of water with millions of mussels forming carpets along the lake bed.

In the end, the lone musselYakuchukfound on his boat near Vernon was not the invasive variety, but experts say they'reconcerned thatzebra musselscould spread west into B.C.'s lakes.

Martina Beck, who heads the invasive fauna unit with the provincial Ministry of Environment, says the threat of invasive mussels is top of mind.

"Certainly it's a threat of them being introduced," said Beck. "We've been checking watercraft as they come into the province to ensure they don't have any mussels attached to them."

Beck said zebra and quagga mussels can survive for up to 30 days outside of water, and theministry is concerned that boats that were in lakes infested with zebra mussels could bring them to B.C.

As a preventative measure, the ministry has set up 12 stations across B.C. to inspect watercraft for mussels.

Knowing the concern of provincial officials, Yakuchukpluckedthe mussel off his hull last week, and sent it to the Ministry of Environment.

Unable to live in freshwater

After inspecting theshell shape, Beck determinedthe mysterious mussel was of the marine variety, native tothe coast a creature unable to live in fresh water.

"They phoned me and told me it was just a common marine mussel ... And to basically not to be worried about it. How it got onto the lake is a mystery," said Yakuchuk, laughing.

Yakuchuk figures the mussel came from a boat someone had in the ocean and then moved toKalamalkaLake.

BeckagreesYakuchuk'stheory isthe most plausible.

The quickest way to alert government of an invasive species, said Beck, is to usethe provincialReport All Poachers and Polluters hotline.

With files from Daybreak South

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