Atlantic Zone Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring Program

Thomas Landry, Andrea Locke, Neil McNair and Art Smith Aquatic Health DivisionAquatic Health DivisionFisheries and Oceans Canada

Gulf Fisheries Centre, Moncton NBOceans and Science Branch

Gulf of St. Lawrence (southern)

JF Mallet

Orb View-2 (03-05-99)Orb View-2 (03-05-99)

““alien invasions alien invasions are a major causeare a major cause

of declining biodiversity of declining biodiversity in Canada, second only in Canada, second only

to habitat loss”to habitat loss”

Commissioner of the Environment and Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (2002)Sustainable Development (2002)

Introduction

• Number of AIS in the sGSL are increasing– 26+ since mid 1800’s

• 10 in the last decade

• Transportation vectors (pathways)

– ships (hull, ballast water)• commercial• recreational

– cargo (live seafood shipment)• fishery (fish & shellfish pound,

seaweeds/packaging)• aquaculture• leisure (aquarium), live bait

– ocean currents• larvae• floating debris

• Economical vs. Ecological impacts– shellfish aquaculture industry

Source: Locke, A. and Hanson, M. (in prep.)Source: Locke, A. and Hanson, M. (in prep.)

Green Crab (Carcinus maenas)

• Origin– North and Baltic seas (Europe)

• sGSL (1st report)

– 1995 (St. Georges Bay, NS)

• Economy– Voracious predator (100+ species)

• mollusks and crustaceans

• Ecosystem– Displacement of native species

• aggressive behaviour

– Ecological impact• Zostera marina (eelgrass)

Maine & Maine & Bay of Fundy(1950’s)Bay of Fundy(1950’s)

NY (mid 1800’s)NY (mid 1800’s)

Seaweed (Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides)(Oyster Thief, Green Sea Fingers, Dead Man’s Fingers)

• Origin– N-W Pacific (Japan)

• sGSL (1st report)

– 1996 (Caribou Harbour, NS)

• Economy– Bio-fouling, transport (hull)

– Decrease in valuable seaweeds • Irish moss and dulse

• Ecosystem– Displacement of native species

– Ecological impact • sea urchins - kelp habitat dynamics

Maine (1960)Maine (1960)NY (1957)NY (1957) Mahone Bay (1991)Mahone Bay (1991)

Clubbed tunicate (Styela clava)• Origin

– W Pacific (Korea)

• sGSL (1st report)

– 1998 (Brudenell River, PEI)

• Economy– Bio-fouling, transport (hull)

– Filter feeder (competition for food and space)

• mussel farming

• Ecosystem– Displacement of native species

– Ecological impact

Ciona intestinalis Botryllus schlosseri

Botrylloides violaceus

New tunicate species

Sea vase tunicate Golden star tunicate

Violet (orange or red) sheath tunicate

• Origin– N Atlantic (Europe)

• sGSL (1st report)

– 2004 (Montague River, PEI)

• Origin– N-W Pacific (Japan)

• sGSL (1st report)

– 2004 (Savage Harbour, PEI)

• Origin– Europe

• sGSL (1st report)

– 2001 (St. Peters Bay, PEI)

AIS distribution in PEI - Styela clava

AIS distribution in PEI - Ciona intestinalis

AIS distribution in PEI - Botryllus schlosseri

AIS distribution in PEI - Botrylloides violaceus

Impacts (Clubbed tunicate)

Impacts (Vase tunicate)

PEI DAFAPEI DAFA

PEI DAFAPEI DAFA

Impacts (Colonial tunicates)

AIS Monitoring Proposal

AIS Monitoring

AIS Monitoring Proposal

LEVEL 1• Low Frequency• Wide Geographical• Direct – Non-targeted• Ex: navigational buoys

LEVEL 2• High Frequency• Low Geographical• Direct - Targeted• Collector Plats

LEVEL 3• High Frequency• Local• Indirect - Targeted• Stewardship

AIS Monitoring Proposal: Level 1

Objectives• Early detection• Progression of spread• Identify vectors

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Salinités (PSAL)

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AIS Monitoring Proposal: Level 2

Objectives• Early detection• Vectors • Effect of mitigation• Evolution of spread

AIS Monitoring Proposal: Level 2

AIS Monitoring Proposal: Level 3

COORDINATION• Who do you call?• Data gathering• Education• Communication

CLEARING HOUSE• Identification• Specimen collection• Validation• Training

Objectives• Early detection• Frequent observation• Education• Buy-in

AIS Monitoring Proposal: Level 3Public involvement

1-800-759-6600invaderr.glc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

AIS Monitoring Proposal: Level 3Public involvement

http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ais-eae/index-e.html

AIS Monitoring Proposal: Level 3Public involvement

Community Aquatic Monitoring Program

AIS Monitoring Proposal: Level 3Industry involvement

– Management• Coordination of efforts to control invasive tunicates

– Monitoring• Monitoring of the distribution of invasive tunicates in PEI• Monitoring for new tunicate invasions at high-risk sites• Investigation on vectors• Investigation on environmental interactions (climate change)

– Reproduction and recruitment• Effect of temperature and salinity on the spawning behaviour of colonial tunicates• Effect of the epifauna on the settlement of tunicates• Effect of anthropogenic factors on the settlement of tunicates• Effect of temperature and salinity on the survival of colonial tunicate larvae

– Competition (mussel – tunicate)• Effect of invasive tunicates on mussel farm productivity

– Control methods• Epidemiologic study (fish plant effluents, ...)• Effect of various chemicals (e.g. lime, vinegar) on the violet and golden star tunicates• Effect of husbandry (seeding density) on the settlement of tunicates• Documentation of treatment trials conducted by the industry

Research and Development