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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Americans warned not to eat invasive mussel species
An invasive species of mussels has found its way to Wyoming, but seafood enthusiasts are being warned to steer clear or risk dangerous consequences. More than 500,000 zebra mussels were discovered on a boat lift by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and, following swift and aggressive action to eradicate them, officials have warned Americans to avoid consuming them. In early May, aquatic invasive species specialists worked with the WGFD Casper office to rid more than half a million of the mussels off of a boat that had been at the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area in South Dakota, Cowboy State Daily reported. Specialist's scalded and killed the mussels with hot water and took every effort to ensure no zebra mussel DNA survived. The distinct looking mussel, with tan stripes, more closely biologically resembles that of a clam, but their functions remain similar. Zebra mussels are filter feeders, according to the National Park Service, and siphon particles of plankton from the water. Yet, their fast reproduction rates and insatiable appetite can cause harm to waters and its native species if infestation is not prevented. Zebra mussels of a large population can quickly eradicate almost all floating particles from a body of water, robbing food from species that feed on plankton and exposing prey in the clearer waters. Once an infestation occurs, there is little to be done, therefore officials focus heavily on preventative action to avoid infested waters. Cheyenne chef Petrina Peart told Cowboy State Daily: 'Zebra mussels can be cooked and consumed, but I don't think it'll be worth the potential digestive issues that may follow.' Their constant water filtration typically leads to their harboring a lot of harmful bacteria, which is true for all mussels. 'Freshwater mussels consume plankton and with it any toxins that are present in the water. They make for great water filtration but may not make for a great Amuse Bouche.' When cooking mussels, wine is often used to help kill off any harmful bacteria that may be present. 'Mussels have to be harvested from clean and uncontaminated waters and cooked thoroughly,' Peart said. 'Lots of butter, lemon and fresh herbs couldn't hurt, but there could still be potentially harmful bacteria. Wine is used in mussel recipes to help kill bacteria. It also happens to be delicious.' Some invasive mussel species infestations were solved through consumption, such as the green iguana species. 'The green iguana is an invasive species in the Cayman Islands,' Peart told the outlet. 'They have created dishes and cuisine around the efforts to eradicate destructive invasive iguana species by turning them into something mainstream.' And while the solution worked well, zebra mussels are also much smaller than green iguanas. The largest zebra mussel only reaches around two inches long at most. Peart can see how 'from a problem solving standpoint,' turning to consuming zebra mussels could help eradicate them, but doesn't necessarily think that means it's a good idea. 'I won't lie - I skipped the iguana soup while in the Cayman Islands, and I'll probably skip the zebra mussels too,' she said, with no plans to add them to her menu.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Outdoors Notebook: Game and Fish launches 3-year walleye-tagging study on Devils Lake
May 24—DEVILS LAKE — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has launched a three-year walleye-tagging study on Devils Lake in an effort to learn more about the "exploitation rate," or percentage of walleyes anglers harvest each year, on the popular fishery. In a "North Dakota Outdoors" video segment, Todd Caspers, district fisheries biologist for Game and Fish in Devils Lake, said the goal is to tag at least 1,000 walleyes each of the three years in various locations across the lake. Running the study for three years instead of just one will help account for year-to-year differences in fishing success, Caspers said in the video. "One year, the fishing might be really good and exploitation might be a little higher, and then vice versa, if it's a slower year for walleye fishing, exploitation will probably be lower," Caspers said. "So, (over) three years, we'll see that kind of average out to a more average picture of what our exploitation is." Fisheries crews will tag walleyes of various sizes — basically from 13 inches up to 30 inches — throughout the study, Caspers said, using metal tags that are fastened through the fishes' thin mouth tissue. Anglers who catch a tagged walleye can either keep or release the fish like they would any walleye, but should report the tag number, either through their personal online Game and Fish account, on the Game and Fish website or by calling the Devils Lake district office at (701) 662-3617. The Devils Lake walleye-tagging study is one of seven department fisheries crews are conducting across the state this year. Game and Fish last conducted a walleye-tagging study on Devils Lake from 2007 through 2009. BISMARCK — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department encourages public comment on the revision of its 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan. Known as SWAP, for short, the plan is North Dakota's guiding document for the conservation and restoration of at-risk species and their habitats, with a focus on preventing species from becoming endangered. It identifies species of greatest conservation need, including fish, wildlife and invertebrates. In a news release, Game and Fish said the plan is revised every 10 years and represents a unified effort involving various stakeholders aimed at creating and implementing conservation strategies to ensure the long-term protection and sustainability of the state's fish and wildlife. North Dakota's SWAP is a collaborative effort by Game and Fish staff, species experts, partner conservation groups, and state, federal and local agencies. A draft of the plan is available on the department's website — — and public comments will be accepted through June 30. ST. PAUL — Minnesota's bass fishing catch-and-keep season opens Saturday, May 24. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, spring is a great time to cast a line for these fun-to-catch fish. Largemouth and smallmouth bass can be easier to catch in spring and early summer when they spend more time in shallow water. Later, as water temperatures rise, many bass move to deeper water in search of sunken points, rocky humps and aquatic plant edges that offer protection from larger fish and hiding places for prey. Learn more about how to fish for bass and other species on the DNR's learn to fish webpage at .
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Multi-agency rescue mission leads to Blackhawk helicopter landing on UNM campus
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It was a multi-agency rescue mission that started in northern New Mexico and ended with the National Guard landing a helicopter on UNM's campus. 'We were wheels up immediately,' said Hank Minitrez, spokesperson for the New Mexico National Guard. According to the National Guard, they received a call Friday evening about the incident along the Canadian River in Colfax County, saying one person was unconscious, and another had a broken leg. Local authorities attempted to make the rescue at first, but it was decided that one of the patients needed an airlift. 'What normally happens is, when every other effort is exhausted and they still can't get to the individual, then they'll notify the New Mexico National Guard,' Minitrez said. Students install nap pods at the University of New Mexico According to responding agencies, a New Mexico Game and Fish agent reached the individuals first by hiking to them. Other search and rescue agencies followed and were able to provide medical aid. Rescuers found out both patients were conscious and neither had a broken leg. However, one of the patients was struggling to breathe, with responders suspecting they had broken ribs and a collapsed lung. It wasn't long before a Blackhawk helicopter was hovering over, and the patient was lifted. 'That's when our flight medic, very skilled, very experienced, was lowered down via cable hoist, made the assessment that this individual was having difficulty breathing,' Minitrez explained. UNM announces reopening date of Duck Pond The patient was taken to UNM's hospital. Albuquerque's Fire Rescue says the helipad at UNMH is not built for helicopters of that magnitude. So, the pilot was forced to land at UNM's Johnson Field with help from AFR and UNM police. 'Within minutes, we can dispatch one of our helicopter crews out there to perform the rescue, and that's exactly what happened last night,' Minitrez added. According to the Colfax County Sheriff's Office, the second injured person was evacuated on foot. Agencies involved in the rescue included the Colfax County Sheriff's Office, Raton Fire and Rescue, and New Mexico Search and Rescue, among several others. This is the second time this year a Blackhawk helicopter was used to rescue someone in New Mexico. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
