Quagga Mussel found at more sites
The highly invasive Quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) has now been found at 9 sites in the London area including the Wraysbury River and Wraysbury Reservoir.
The Quagga Mussel is a highly invasive non-native species from the Ponto-Caspian region, very similar to Zebra Mussel. It can significantly alter whole ecosystems by filtering out large quantities of nutrients and is also a serious biofouling risk blocking pipes smothering boat hulls and other structures.
The Environment Agency's initial assessment has shown that the species has established along 1.5 km of the Wraysbury River and in the Wraysbury Reservoir, which is likely to mean that eradication is not presently feasible. Further inversitgation by the Agency has found the mussel to have colonised seven additional sites. The latest information on its spread can be found here.
The Environment Agency are seeking to contain and slow the spread of the species and are asking all water users to support them in promoting and implementing the check, clean, dry bio security measure.
Click on the link for more information on the Quagga mussel, what is being done and how to identify the species. If you have any questions please contact the Environment Agency directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..