To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) the spread and impact of the invasive zebra mussel species; and (ii) the areas in East Londonderry that have been affected by this.

(i) Zebra mussels were first reported in Northern Ireland in 1996 from Lower Lough Erne with records from Upper Lough Erne the following year. The first confirmed record in Lough Neagh was at Kinnego Marina in 2005 and it has now spread to the Lower Bann and tributaries. It thrives in eutrophic waters but does not survive in acidic water bodies.

Zebra mussels have been implicated in a range of impacts including changes in nutrient cycles, reduced plankton, increased water clarity, increased plant growth around lake margins, population declines of native mussels, and changes in fish populations. Not all of these interactions are fully understood. In addition, they can block water intake pipes and boat engines, and foul the hulls of boats.

(ii) Within the East Londonderry constituency, there are reports of zebra mussels being present in the Lower Bann at The Cutts and Kilrea Bridge. There are further records from the Articlave River at Ardina Bridge and the Bannbrook at Quilley Road Bridge.