join minnesota’s citizen zebra mussel monitoring … minnesota’s citizen zebra mussel monitoring...
TRANSCRIPT
Join Minnesota’s Citizen Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program
Douglas A. Jensen
University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program
Duluth, MN; 218.726.8712, [email protected]
La Crosse, WI
October 27, 2012 Follow us on
Phot
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Pub
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Summarize invasive mussel life history and impacts
Why early detection and monitoring?
How you can join citizen zebra mussel monitoring program
Gauge interest to expand program
Q&A
Agenda
Threats: Recreation and tourism Industry and drinking water infrastructure Biodiversity Pathways: Commercial shipping (ballast water) Boaters and anglers Diversions Commercial fishing Research
Microscopic free living larval stage
Unique life history
Young and adults attach to any hard
surface if given sufficient time
IMPACT: ENVIRONMENT,
RECREATION, AND ECONOMY
Feed on Plankton
Gone from Lake Erie
Significant declines in Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Ontario
May be slight decline in Lake Superior
10,000/m2 to zero
Courtesy: Dr. Nalepa, NOAA, Ann Arbor, MI,
and State of the Great Lakes 2009 Report
• Doughnut width decreased 26%
• Decrease is zooplankton density
• Decrease in fish predicted
Kerfoot, et al. 2010
Steady decline in body condition of Lake Michigan whitefish since 1992
Kill Native Mussels and Crayfish?
Cause taste and odor problems
Clog delivery systems up to 36” diameter
Clog service water including fire protection
Densities at 700,000 square meter at intakes
Can deal with, but at major costs
Service Water
Bell
Physical
Removal
Cost Great Lakes water users estimated $267 M from 1989-94
Medium-size city spends $360 K annually
Nuclear power spends $2 M annually
Overall, $1.12 B nationally
Industrial Impacts
Clogged Pipes
Fouled Boats
After zebra mussels invade,
they form windrows of decaying flesh and sharp shells
Whew, they stink!!
Toxic Algae, Dead Zone, Botulism
Increases toxic blue-green algae, Microcystis, which produces a poison that causes liver damage
Anoxic waters and storm episodes may contribute to fish kills
Induced algae blooms triggered botulism outbreaks killing tens of thousands of birds since 1998
Correlation between fish and bird die-offs
Type E Botulism,
Lake Erie, 2001:
Presque Isle State Park
Surveillance for Early Detection
Goals:
Early detection can trigger containment efforts
Containment buys time to:
allocate resources
implement controls
increase public awareness and enforcement, and
minimize impacts on water users
Informs whether eradication is possible
Photo: Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
Physical – Drawdown and freezing
Chemical – Copper sulfate, sodium
hypochlorite
Biological – Zequanox*
Eradication Very Difficult in
Natural Waters
Rose Lake Treatment
Credit: MPR
* control only
AIS can be detected early in invasion
Methods are effective for use in habitats and can detect early life history
Tools cheap, easy to use, require little training
Use by local citizen groups to target hot spots
Findings contribute to database of infested waters
Track presence/absence in inland waters annually
Critical Elements for Successful AIS Monitoring
Regional Volunteer Zebra Mussel Detection Program
Established in Minnesota by Sea Grant in 1996
• U of M Extension Shoreland Volunteer Program
• Minnesota DNR
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Minnesota Lakes Association*
Volunteers inspect docks, dock lifts and supports, swim platforms, boats, motors, etc.
Volunteers also can collect water samples for analysis of larvae (veligers) using kits, training manuals, instructional videos and monitoring guides
Resources for Zebra Mussel Monitoring
Detecting Zebra Mussels video
and
Detecting Zebra Mussels: A Monitoring Program for Citizens
Minnesota Zebra Mussel Watch: Volunteer Monitor Instruction
Guide
Monitoring Guide
Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program
Visually inspect two times per season
Examine pontoons, boat lifts, docks, &
swimming platforms especially when
removing for winter
Can use PVC (4” dia. X 24” long) or brick
tied to rope
Always report effort if ZM found or not
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/zebramussel_monitoring/index.html
- Option 2 - Visual Inspection for Juveniles and Adults
Citizen Volunteer Network
- Summary/Conclusions -
Helps build public awareness
Maintains healthy ecosystems
Fosters sense of community
Provides presence/absence data
Provides an early warning program critical for resource protection
‘Muscling’ into Minnesota 1989 - Duluth-Superior harbor
1991 - Mississippi River at St. Paul
2000 - St. Croix River below Stillwater
2000 - Zumbro Lake, near Rochester
2003 - Lake Ossawinnamakee
2005 - Mille Lacs Lake + 4 Ramsey Co. lakes
2009 - Lake Le Homedu, Prior, Big Pelican,
Lizzie, Prairie and Pike Lakes
2010 - Gull Lake, Lake Minnetonka and Victoria
2011 - Brophy, Cowdry, Taylor, North Union,
Stoney, and Rose Lakes
2012 – Irene, Gilbert Pit, Miltona, Ida, Little McDonald, Kerbs, Paul, and Rusch Lakes
* Eleven lakes since 2000 infested likely due to boaters
Updated from MnDNR
Annual Report 2011
•
• Signs at accesses
• Regulation booklets (fishing, hunting, boating)
• State Register
• Invasive Species Program
• http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/invasives/infested_waters.pdf
