Invasive species of clams found in Shuswap Lake

Photo: Contributed

Mel Arnold has long led the battle against invasive mussels in local lakes, but a new culprit has been found.

An invasive species of clams have been found in Shuswap Lake and the Conservative MP for the North Okanagan-Shuswap said he went for a walk along the beach recently and “it didn't take long to spot the shells in the sand.”

Arnold said clam shells were found a year ago and an investigation this summer found more clam shells along with living clams below the water level.

“It just shows there is more education needed about stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species,” said Arnold. “I continue to bring this up (with the federal Liberals.)”

Arnold said it is not known if the clams are as prolific as zebra and quagga mussels which can wreak havoc on waterways.

“They may not adhere to hard surfaces the way quagga and zebra mussels do,” said Arnold, adding finding the clams is another example the spread of invasive species continues to happen.

Recent surveys detected live clams at Sunnybrae and Canoe on Shuswap Lake.

The clams are native to Southeast Asia and parts of central and eastern Australia, Africa, Indonesia and Turkey.

The primary threat is that the clams can reach high densities and cause loss of biodiversity due to competition for food and space with native species. They can alter water chemistry and cause fouling of pipes and water treatment systems.

Corbicula fluminea are small and have a triangular shell. They are found in silty to sandy to gravel substrates in shallow areas of lakes or rivers.

They can self fertilize and reproduce rapidly, with a single clam producing up to 70,000 eggs a year. They can spread by human transport and water currents, and have been sold for aquarium use.

Recent surveys detected live clams at Sunnybrae and Canoe on Shuswap Lake. Beach-walking surveys found shells at Sandy Point, but have not found clams at any locations outside the Salmon Arm of the lake, the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society reports.

Arnold said no evidence of mussels have been found in local waters.