Published: 2nd Jun, 2020
Charru mussel is spreading quickly in the backwaters of Kerala, elbowing out other mussel and clam species and threatening the livelihoods of fishermen engaged in molluscan fisheries.
- Charru mussel is spreading quickly in the backwaters of Kerala, elbowing out other mussel and clam species and threatening the livelihoods of fishermen engaged in molluscan fisheries.
- The rapid spread of the Charru mussel may have been triggered by Cyclone Ockhi which struck the region in 2017.
What is Charru mussel?
- Charru mussel (Mytella strigata) is an invasive mussel native to the South and Central American coasts.
- Externally, the Charru mussel resembles the green and brown mussels (kallummekka in Malayalam), but is much smaller in size.
- Its colour varies from black to brown, purple or dark green.
- The short-necked clam fisheries in the lake had obtained an eco label from the Marine Stewardship Council and about 3,000 people are dependent on fisheries here.
- In such a scenario, the fast-breeding Charru mussel could be seen as a ‘pest’.
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