Invasive, alien mussels spotted near Punnakayal

Experts warn rapid colonisation of species may pose threat to indigenous marine life

- S GODSON WISELY DASS @Thoothukudi

The invasive mutti chippy (Mytella strigata) — a mussel variety native to the Pacific coasts — has been spotted along the Punnakayal seashore in Thoothukudi. Experts in marine biology suggested that de-ballasting — removal of ballast water loaded into ship tanks for stability — could have been the primary factor in the introduction of the species, which could pose a threat to indigenous marine life. They called for urgent measures to control the spread of the invasive species into the Gulf of Mannar marine biosphere, which is a unique and ecologically important marine ecosystem.

The fishermen in Punnakayal — largely unaware of the invasive nature of the species — told