Invasive mussels threaten Great Lakes whitefish, risking disappearance within five years
Researchers warn that zebra and quagga mussels have upended the food web of the Great Lakes, pushing native lake whitefish toward possible local extinction in the next half-decade.
The spread of zebra and quagga mussels across the Great Lakes has dramatically altered the ecosystem by consuming phytoplankton, the primary food source for diporeia shrimp-like crustaceans. With diporeia numbers collapsing, lake whitefish juveniles lack essential nutrition, leading to a steep decline observed since the 1990s, especially in Lake Erie. Indigenous communities that depend on whitefish for livelihood, exemplified by William Ortiz of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, are experiencing severe economic strain.
Researchers are exploring natural predators such as freshwater drum, which have shown promise in limited studies, and agencies like Ohio's Department of Wildlife have trialed tarp-and-CO₂ and high-pressure water techniques to eradicate mussel colonies. However, officials acknowledge that extending these methods across the vast Great Lakes would be prohibitively expensive. In response, two Michigan congresspeople have introduced legislation proposing $50 million per year for ten years to support mussel-control research, currently pending congressional action.
Why it matters
The collapse of a key fish species threatens regional economies, cultural traditions, and the ecological balance of the Great Lakes.
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