Threatened biodiversity: How Friborg tries to protect its lakes from the plague of the Quagga mussels

The Quagga mold. Furthermore, an invasive species which already colonizes the lakes of Neuchâtel and Morat, has threatened biodiversity: how friborg tries not yet reached the lakes of Sarine, Lac Noir and Lac de Montsalvens. Moreover, The state of Friborg calls on the owners of boats to clean their boats when moving from one body to another. Similarly, as announced by the environmental service in a press release published on July 18, 2025.

The pleasure boats are the main vector of spreading these invasive molluscs between the different bodies of water. Organizations can be transported on the shell. in the engine, in cooling water, as well as on water sports and fishing equipment.

To avoid their dissemination. the environment service recommends cleaning the boats with a high pressure jet and rinking the engine cooling system with hot water before any movement. If these measures cannot be applied, it is advisable to give up the transfer of the boat.

Economic. ecological threat

The canton is currently examining the implementation of binding measures to combat the spread of the Quagga mold and other invasive exotic species. An obligation to report. clean the boats could be established, like what has already been done in several other Swiss cantons.

The consequences of the proliferation of the Quagga mold are considerable. On the economic level. it colonizes and obstructs the filters and conduct of water supply systems, causing damage which can reach several million francs.

Its rapid reproduction also causes ecological upheavals in lake ecosystems, in particular affecting professional fishing. These impacts justify the prevention efforts made to protect water bodies still spared.

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