Open water mussel control projects

Abstract

Publication: Nature.com

Dreissenid mussels—zebra and quagga—are among the most destructive aquatic invasive species in North America, disrupting ecosystems and economies. In a comprehensive review, Dahlberg et al. analyzed 33 open water mussel control projects across 23 North American lakes to evaluate treatment strategies and outcomes. The study identified three critical lessons to improve future management: First, pre- and post-treatment surveys must align with the project’s goals and sample all life stages of the mussels to accurately assess infestation and success.

Second, defining a treatment area large enough to encompass the full spread of mussel populations, including planktonic veligers, is essential for eradication or suppression. Third, control projects are valuable opportunities to collect data on water chemistry and non-target effects, which can inform safer and more effective adaptive management practices. While short-term success was often achieved within treatment zones, long-term eradication frequently failed due to overlooked mussels outside those areas.

The authors advocate for standardized, comprehensive data collection and broader, more precautionary treatment strategies to prevent reinfestation and improve control outcomes. The findings offer practical guidance for future rapid response and long-term control efforts to manage this persistent invasive threat.