A species of mussel is accidentally introduced into ballast water in Europe.The best way to prevent its becoming established at its destination in the United States is to
A) begin eradication procedures soon after mussels are released in the United States.
B) kill the mussels in the ballast tanks before the ballast water is released.
C) set new standards in Europe for the collection of ballast water.
D) set new standards in the United States for the collection of ballast water.
E) begin eradication procedures after mussels have become well established.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most effective method to prevent the introduction of the mussel into the United States is to kill the mussels in the ballast tanks before the ballast water is released. Once they are released, it becomes much more difficult and costly to eradicate an established population. Setting new standards for ballast water collection may help prevent future introductions, but it will not address the immediate threat posed by the existing mussel population in the ballast water. Eradication procedures should be implemented only if the mussels are detected after their accidental introduction.

A Species of Mussel Is Accidentally Introduced into Ballast Water