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Search for introduced mussel on Thursday Island18 March 2002 A team of CRC Reef researchers from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will be searching for the introduced Asian Green Mussel in the Port of Thursday Island and surveying important fisheries habitats this week. "The Asian Green Mussel was recently introduced to Cairns and the black-striped mussel introduced to Darwin, both on the hulls of poorly maintained foreign fishing vessels," said Dr Kerry Neil, an expert in introduced species with the team which is based at DPI's Northern Fisheries Centre in Cairns. "The numbers of similar vessels that visit the Port of Thursday Island mean that there is a risk of mussels or other marine pests being introduced to the port," said Dr Neil. "These mussels are not native to the area and could displace native species as well as cause damage to boats and shore facilities by blocking water intakes." "Our team will be using a variety of survey methods to search for the introduced mussel as well as survey important fisheries habitat," said Dr Michael Rasheed, a fisheries biologist with the team. "We will be mapping intertidal areas by helicopter and diving from a research boat to survey deeper waters." "The important fisheries habitat includes the seagrass meadows between
Thursday and Horn Islands," said Dr Rasheed. "The extensive
seagrass meadows around Thursday Island are some of the best examples
of seagrass in Queensland. They are important as a nursery area for young
prawns and fish, and provide food for dugongs and turtle." Information leaflets about the Asian Green Mussel are available from the Boating & Fisheries Patrol office on Thursday Island. The survey is jointly funded by DPI, CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd and the Ports Corporation of Queensland. For more information contact: |
