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16- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, July 22, 1997 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" ------------ pro Boaters should watch out for mussels: columnist From Page 1 lakes while other places do." he said. "We don't have that problem and it's a real benefit. We'll always be the last one to get some- thing until someone brings something in. I hope we won't get them, but odds are we will." There are 14 monitor- ing stations spread around the lake toiwatch for the arrival of the mus- sels, which is part of a two year study by the KFA. The mussels, which are spTasimalely the size of a thumbnail, are prone to hiding in dark spots and attaching themselves to hard surfaces, which could spell trouble. "They love dark places which makes our intake pipes a perfect spot for them. They clog pipes because they are like coral; they pile one on top of the other until they clog something up and then it is a real expensive prob- lem," said Mr. Beaton, adding that they can also be found on rocks, docks, and boat hulls. It's boats that often introduce the mussels to a body of water. "Someday someone will bring a boat to the lake and they will not have emptied their livewell, or let their boat dry for two days or will not have scrubbed their hull, and then we'll have them," Mr. Beaton predicted. "When they do come here, we'll know. They're sharp and crunchy." The big problem with zebra mussels is that once they are in a lake, they're there to stay. The mussels upset the delicate underwater envi- ronment and can damage equipment, says Star fish- ing columnist Chris Hockley. "They come in large numbers and they can cover spawning beds of fish, not allowing fish to drop their eggs on the bot- tom. They also filter water of plankton, which is what minnows eat. So when they infect a lake they cut down on fertility beds and there are no minnows for others to eat. "They are also known to clog intake pipes as well as pumps and intakes of outboard engines, which results in the motor burn- ing out," said Mr. Hockley. While there are many negatives about the species, the fishing colum- nist could think of one Includes Automatic & Air Conditioning e Most Powerful Standard Engine ® Chrome Bumpers Dual Airbags -- with Passenger-Side Deactivator « 8' Cargo Box -- Largest In Class ® Rear-Wheel ABS e Lower Two-Tone Paint ¢ AM/FM Stereo Cassette No Extra Charge XLS Package: Chrome Styled Steel Wheels 60/40 Split Bench « Colour-Keyed Bodyside Mouldings #1 SELLING LEGAL COPY: *New 1997 F-Series XLS Regular CabvSupercabided with P.E.P. 805A, and & He he yobs eng rsricion apply 2.9% downass on BCL Ine RLS applicable tones, Dealer nay lease for See Your Ontario Ford 8 Mercury Dealers TRUCKS IN CANADA monthly lease payment $2,995 downpayment anada *49 NMIORE , A Month Choose F-Serles XLS Supercab or 4x4 PA THA 24 MONTH or equivalent trade FOR' 1 ~Juenauny ment of $265/8314/8314 based on 24 month lease from Ford Credit to qualified retail lessees, on approved credit. Some conditions \ d. First month's payment and security deposit required. Offers exclude freight F-Series XLS Regular Limited time offer. Offers may change without notice. See dealer for details. **Based on 1996 calendar year manufacturer reported deliveries. ($920), licence, insurance and all Cab/Supercabidsd Ontario FMDA, P.O. Box 2000, Oakville, Ontario L6) S€4 positive aspect: they improve water clarity by eating the plankton. They can make the water a little clearer, but that's about it. Ducks are their only known preda- tor; they are the only ones that feed on the zebra mussels." In an effort to prevent the spread of the mussels, Mr. Hockley has a few tips on how to slow their spread. : "Make sure you wash your boat with hot water after you remove it from a lake. There is also a spe- cial soap available to remove them. Also dump your livewells and bilge pumps in the lake before you leave," he said, adding that in their early stages the mussels are free-float- ing and cannot be seen by the naked eye. They can come in groups of more than 30,000, and colonize quickly. "People should just be careful," said Mr. Hockley. "When you go in a lake wash and clean your boat and try to slow the spread of them." Other local lakes known to have been infect- ed include Rice, Stoney, Sturgeon, Buckhorn, Simcoe and Pigeon. Anyone who takes their boat into any of these lakes ought to properly clean and empty their ves- sels before entering anoth- er lake. " WORK | | WANTED No other area newspaper reaches so far... Reach a potential market of 43,000 readers every week through the Star Classifieds. Port Perry Star Port Perry Weekend Star 905-985-7383 | -------------------- The Rov Devry Shay and Ip ipo Summer Fishing | Derby Winners gi C8 LR SS ¥ Co gratulations