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Zebra mussels are invasive and annoying to homeowners, so what do you do with the millions that wash up on lake and bay shores by the millions each year?

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"WHETHER YOU FISH, SWIM, OR BOAT, KEEP ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THESE PESKY BIVALVES. REPORT ANY SIGHTINGS OF ZEBRA MUSSELS IN R.I. WATERS BY CONTACTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT (401) 222-6800."

- Rhode Island Sea Grant

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keep your own equipment from being fouled. Observe the following "clean boating" suggestions when transporting your boat from waterway to waterway.

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Because of their ability to filter vast amounts of phytoplankton from the water and their large unchecked numbers, many small fish are deprived of their means of nutrition.

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ECONOMIC: can clog water treatment plants

BIOLOGICAL: can eliminate other species of mussels

RECREATIONAL: boat owners must find ways to remove mussels, beach-goers are turned away by the rotting smell

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Birds and Fish

- The majority of their predators are present in Europe, but not in North America.

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-Female zebra mussels can produce 100,000- 500,000 eggs per year.

-"shells are D-shaped"

-caused drastic declines in native clam and mussel populations in some locations.

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- Black Sea

- Caspian Sea

- Eurasia

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Zebra Mussels are not native to the Great Lakes. They were introduced to the ecosystem through shipping boats from other places.