Native to Eurasia, the zebra mussel, and its relative the quagga mussel, severely disrupts food webs, starves native species, encrusts aquatic infrastructure such as aquaculture operations, and reduces recreational opportunities. “Fortunately, all Petco and PetSmart locations in the state cooperated in our response effort.” “Nebraska Game and Parks found zebra mussels present in several Marimo ball containers in retail pet stores,” said Allison Zach, NAISMA board member and Nebraska Invasive Species Program Coordinator.

As the association representing professional invasive species managers, including aquatic invasive species coordinators, NAISMA supports the rapid response of stakeholders to address the issue by destroying-not dumping-aquarium products found to contain invasive zebra mussels. Milwaukee, WI (March 9, 2021)-Late last week, environmental agencies issued notifications to aquarium owners about zebra mussels ( Dreissena polymorpha ) attached to live Marimo moss balls that have been sold at pet or aquarium supply stores across North America. National Invasive Species Awareness WeekĬontact: Belle Bergner, Executive Director North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), *protected email*, (414) 215-0281įOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Environmental Agencies Notify Aquarium Owners Across North America About Potentially Spreading Invasive Mussels Through Marimo Moss Balls NAISMA Responds.

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