IMPATIENCE and LAZINESS ... Allies of the problem.

If we rigorously apply the etymological terms of impatience and laziness within the behavioral competence of the human being in relation to his functional competence, we can observe that, in the case of the impatient, he refers to "the one who does not have the capacity to tolerate". Also this word refers to an uneasiness, worry, restlessness, alarm, embarrassment, anguish, restlessness or nervousness produced by something that can be considered as annoying, uncomfortable or annoying or that does not just arrive, it is also said the lack, lack or not have patience or endure some adversity.

If we refer to the second factor of behavior, laziness, many terms can be applied, as in the previous case, but I will look at "abandonment, neglect and failure to fulfill an obligation."

We could refer to other factors outside the professional interest, will, need or desire of the managers. But we would enter the field of political, market and other darker objectives. To abound in this terrain, an article would not be enough, but an encyclopedia.

We can agree that two natural elements sustain life on Earth: Water and Atmosphere. This simple statement could make us think that we are in a primary school classroom. And perhaps we are in this stage in relation to our behavior, attitude and ability to respond to the problems that surround these vital elements.

We are going to focus on the first vital element, water. This priority is not coincidental; What happens to this source of life will also affect the air we breathe.

In our field of activity and attending to what concerns us: the invasion of aquatic species (bivalve molluscs). It is quite true that one of the main reasons for these migrations is the development of commercial activity and the use of maritime routes for the transfer and exchange of merchandise and people. Other factors are derived from environmental phenomena, climatological, economic and racial partner inequalities. But other very important problems have to do with the governance and administration of resources and their distribution.

If we exclude the causes caused by the climate, droughts, floods and other natural disasters, together with the distribution of the zones with greater availability of fresh water (this factor to be taken into account), all the rest are caused by incorrect decision making, or the lack of them, of political rulers and managers. It is enough to look at the evolution of this problem in the last 30 years to admit that things are not going well.

 The invasions of bivalve molluscs in the hydric systems of the planet come to add to the already heavy burden of the administration of the hydrological resources.

No country is exempt from the problem. A greater development of the country, we will have greater exposure to the risk of impact on strategic infrastructures. Without counting on the impact on the already in itself, deficient environmental balance of the most developed countries. Paradoxically, the invasion of bivalve molluscs in these rich regions is proportionally more intense than in other less developed countries.

This statement makes sense, if we think that the infrastructures available in these highly developed countries allow a greater permeability and routes of displacement of invasive species. (Rivers, canals, dams, dams, irrigation systems, and drinking water distribution networks, ports, sewage networks, leisure areas, etc.)

It also makes sense that the users of the water resource, not the owners of the resource. The States are the final responsible for the use and destination of the available fresh water. The representatives of the State, the rulers, should make decisions aimed at correcting this anomaly.

It is striking that, according to the Annual Reports of the United Nations on water resources in the world, this organization devotes special attention to implement policies to improve the techniques of use, consumption and distribution of fresh water, in underdeveloped countries. The rich countries currently spend more than 500,000 million dollars / year, in losses originated in strategic sectors in the development of nations such as, hydroelectricity, thermal, nuclear, irrigation, consumption of water for drinking, leisure, tourism, etc. Special attention should be paid to the fact that 40% of these costs are used to apply toxic products as a radical measure to contain these invasions. A correct management in the control of plagues would suppose a reduction of 45% of the current costs.

It is also paradoxical that, in these reports, no mention is made of the problem of infestation of water systems by invading bivalves. At least 70 countries suffer severely, the impact of these pests. Undoubtedly the losses will amount to significantly higher figures, if data were obtained from countries with an emerging economy or in the development phase, which are equally affected.

Fixed the premises, we will analyze the relationship of these factors with most of the problems that affect our aquatic habitat today.

Can we control the invasion of bivalve molluscs?

If we look at the available information, the vast majority of reports made on this problem come from the scientific field. Biologists, naturalist zoologists and other specialists. Most of these essays are framed in commissions made by the University, Public Organizations and in other cases business organizations.

We know almost everything about bivalve molluscs. Field and laboratory work have shown how they are and what they do. We know how they arrived, where they are and the danger they represent.

In hypothesis about control methods, in experimental works and laboratory tests, we have multiple offers. From the most crazy to the most original. Genetic mutations, nanotechnology, and other proposals, more similar to science fiction films, than to face an organism extraordinarily endowed by nature. In the end, almost all, end up proposing death by poisoning the molluscs, drying out the reservoirs, and as we have been able to prove in some cases, the massive poisoning of water. The problem is that not only molluscum is poisoned. This is the reality.

However, work on infrastructures affected by ecological, innocuous, efficient and long-term methods, we only know a few. Very few.

The control of bivalve molluscs is possible, since a plan of action based on agreed and applicable international standards is established, with rules established and approved by the affected countries  and coordinated by a multinational public agency, as I proposed in another previous article.

The rules established by the IMO for ballast water and not applied in full, thanks to the economic interests of some countries, would only be one of those measures.

The delegation of operational responsibilities, currently in the hands of public administrative bodies, in companies that are really qualified and that use ecological and reliable methods for the control of bivalve molluscs.

The effective prohibition of the use of biocides, chemicals and other highly polluting products for the aquatic environment,

Provision of a specific department dedicated to understanding the management and problems derived from invasive aquatic species in those companies that must manage activities derived from the use of water resources.

This is just a sample of what can be done to establish efficient barriers that allow control of the systematic expansion of bivalve mollusc pests.

It is time to eradicate two of the evils that affect and contribute to the current state of affairs. The IMPATIENCE = shock, imminent and radical actions without calibrating the future consequences, by METHODICAL = planning and permanent and methodological work.

It is time to eradicate LAZINESS = neglect, lack of compliance with the obligation, by DILIGENCE = specific training, commitment and sense of responsibility.

If we apply these rules, we will not have eliminated the problem in its entirety, but we will be contributing to significantly improve the current situation and what is more important, we will be creating the bases to improve to some extent the black expectations presented by the annual reports of the United Nations.