KILLER mussels

LOUGH ATTACK OF THE KILLER ZEBRA MUSSELS

Sunday Mirror, Apr 13, 2003 by PATSY McARDLE

A LAKE in the Irish Midlands is being invaded by a species of killer mussel which experts fear could wipe out existing mussel stocks.

The Zebra mussel, which has already caused havoc to home mussels in a number of other Irish lakes, has now spread to Lough Derravaragh in Co Westmeath.

The killer mussel, which is thought to have reached Ireland from Holland, is known to attack and destroy existing stock.

A fisheries board expert said yesterday: "Warning signs have been erected at entrances to the lake urging both owners to ensure they don't carry the dangerous species on the bottom of their boats."

The zebra mussel first appeared in the Black and Caspian seas of Russia and the Ukraine.