A breakthrough against zebra mussels?
August 21, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Alexandria Echo Press
Is there a solution to the zebra mussel problem?
A research project is under way right now in Lake Carlos that could lead to a breakthrough. Continue Reading
A breakthrough against zebra mussels?
3 Comments
ARTICLE MISLEADING—
“Is there a solution to the zebra mussel problem?
A research project is under way right now in Lake Carlos that could lead to a breakthrough.” The headline and the lead paragraph are extremely misleading. This project is not in any way leading towards getting rid of the zebra mussels in Lake Carlos. It is possible that if in the future on a different lake zebra mussels were found you could dump this chemical in the area and kill them before they spread. That is hardly a “solution to the zebra mussel problem” as this article states. To eradicate them in the chain would take a train load of the chemical (literally) and cost tens of millions, and still not likely get every one.
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The article does not say anything about zebra mussels being eliminated from Lake Carlos. It simply states that research is under way that could lead to a breakthrough to “control and protect aquatic ecosystems.” The information in the story came directly from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
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“A breakthrough against zebra mussels?
Is there a solution to the zebra mussel problem? A research project is under way right now in Lake Carlos that could lead to a breakthrough.”
If this language is DNR press release language it should be noted as such. If it is the conclusion of the “journalist” then she does not understand the situation. Lakes that have ZM will benefit ZERO from this. Lakes that do not have ZM would benefit ONLY if caught and contained in a very small area, very early. Unless someone sees a dock or boat bring them in it is highly unlikely to contain them. Using language like “breakthrough” and “a solution to the zebra mussel problem” in the headline and lead paragraph is just plain wrong. This is very good research and stopping the spread is very important. The DNR should have been doing things like this ten years ago. I just strongly disagree with the conclusion a reader might get by reading the headline and lead-in without understanding the whole picture.
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