The Spiny barbed water flea, is a small predator that is dangerous to our environment and waterways.
Bythotrephes longimanus was first detected in December 1984 in Lake Huron, then Lake Ontario in September 1985, Lake Erie in October 1985, Lake Michigan in September 1986, and Lake Superior in August 1987.
It's arrival was detected recently in Lake Champlain in 2014.
Lake Champlain is connected to our Quebec waters by way of the Richelieu River and Missisquoi Bay.
These tiny and invasive predators now have the potential, are are likely making their way to the Saint Lawrence waterways and ecosystems.
Impact of Introduction:
The spiny water flea, as small as it is, has the ability to deeply and rapidly change zooplankton communities by causing, through their predation, significant decreases in the abundance and richness of the biomass of zooplankton. It is known that they may be cause the disappearance of some species.
It has caused major changes in the zooplankton community structure; Reproducing rapidly, it competes directly for food with smaller fish.
This spiny waterflea is most likely to be introduced to new waters via aquatic equipment, especially boats, fishing lines and other related watercraft accessories.
It is mainly spread through recreational activities (boats, rowboats, canoes, kayaks, jet skis, scuba diving) and fishing (boats, fishing equipment, bait buckets).
Dormant eggs are as particularly risk when they cling to fishing lines and nets, automatic ballast cables and cords. They can survive for a very long time in this state, whether attached to a living female or a dead one.
Consequently, public education is a significant method of control which can greatly reduce incidences of species transfer by unaware or incautious anglers.
Fishing lines designed specifically to prevent the spread of waterfleas, such as the Flea Flicker brand, have been proven effective in significantly reducing fouling on lines, indicating their importance as a management tool.
Since there is no effective fight against this tiny organism, prevention is the best way to prevent its spread.
References:
nas.er.usgs.gov
mffp.gouv.qc.ca
ntnu.no