FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 3, 2016
CHARLOTTE HARBOR AQUATIC PRESERVES STAFF ON THE HUNT FOR GREEN MUSSELS
~Report sightings of this exotic species to help preserve natural aquatic life and vegetation~
 Although oftentimes covered in barnacles, an outer green edge helps identify the mussels.
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – Florida
Department of Environmental Protection staff at Charlotte Harbor Aquatic
Preserves have reported a distinct increase
in the presence and distribution of exotic green mussels and are asking the
community to report sightings.
Green mussels are native to the Pacific Ocean, not to Florida. They were first reported in Tampa Bay in the 1990s, when a mat of mussels fouled water intake filters at a power plant, causing it to shut down temporarily. Since then, the mussels have spread around the state. Mussels can be found on dock pilings, navigational markers, rock piles and jetties, and often foul boat bottoms. They are sometimes covered in barnacles, but their tell-tale bright green outer edge usually remains visible.
“We have observed green mussels over the past few
years while doing
other monitoring,
but this year we have seen at least 50 mussels, which has caught our
attention,” said Melynda Brown, Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves manager. “We
have a large area and can’t possibly survey every hiding place, so any sightings people can report are appreciated.”
Brown’s staff routinely conducts water-quality and sea grass
surveys in the bays around Charlotte Harbor. When green mussels are observed,
their locations are recorded, along with the depth at which they were found and
water-quality conditions at the site. Staff also take measurements of each mussel before manually removing
them.
“Green mussels can,
at times, compete with barnacles for space, and probably oysters and other native
species,” said Steve Geiger,
a research scientist with Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute. “In the past, the presence of green mussels in Tampa Bay and Sarasota
Bay proved problematic because they can form dense mats very quickly.”
Staff removed 30 mussels during their surveys this summer, and are planning to return to the observed locations to remove any others. Staff have also reported finding mussels in new locations this year, including Pine Island Sound, Cape Haze, Gasparilla Sound-Charlotte Harbor, and near the passes to the Gulf. To supplement ongoing staff efforts, the public is encouraged to report sightings so that aquatic preserves staff can record the information and work to
remove the additional reported mussels.
To
report sightings, call 941-575-5861 or contact the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic
Preserves on Facebook.
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