Zebra mussels confirmed in Nipigon Bay

A biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says the recent confirmation of zebra mussels in Nipigon Bay was not “a huge surprise.”

The invasive species was previously identified in Thunder Bay harbour, where it’s believed to have been carried by a visiting ship.

Jeff Brinsmead, the MNRF’s senior invasive species biologist, said it would be a much bigger surprise if zebra mussels turned up in other inland waters of northwestern Ontario.

“Generally I wouldn’t expect them to do very well. They need a fairly high level of dissolved calcium in the water to form their shells. Much of the Canadian Shield is relatively calcium-poor.” In an interview with Tbnewswatch.com, Brinsmead said that means their survival rate in these waters would be very low.

Alex Clearwater of Nipigon is concerned nonetheless.