TAKING ACTION TO PREVENT AN INVASIVE MUSSEL NIGHTMARE Presented - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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TAKING ACTION TO PREVENT AN INVASIVE MUSSEL NIGHTMARE Presented - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Dec 16, 2022 433 likes •1.06k views

TAKING ACTION TO PREVENT AN INVASIVE MUSSEL NIGHTMARE Presented by: Lisa Scott Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society OASISS who we are A non-profit society established in 1996. Diverse cross-section of members.

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TAKING ACTION TO PREVENT AN INVASIVE MUSSEL NIGHTMARE

Presented by: Lisa Scott

Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society

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OASISS – who we are

  • A non-profit society established in 1996.
  • Diverse cross-section of members.
  • Broadened mandate to encompass invasive species in

2012.

  • Address invasive species and their pathways of

spread through prioritization and multi-stakeholder cooperative coordination

  • Responsible for the coordination, implementation and

evaluation of on-the-ground treatment.

  • Involved in public information and community

stewardship programs.

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Okanagan watershed and the Similkameen watershed

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Zebra / quagga mussel biology

  • Freshwater mussels
  • Ability to attach to solid surfaces

by byssus threads

  • Filter feeders
  • Free swimming microscopic

larvae

  • Adults can live without water for

up to 30 days

Source: BC Government

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Native mussels vs zebra / quagga mussels

Source: BC Government

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Why be concerned?

Invasive mussels can….

 Clog pipes, water intake systems

and municipal water supply

“The bane of water systems and power plants in the Great Lakes area”

 Compete for food with native

species and deplete food sources for fish

 Decrease the quality of the

recreational experience and impact tourism

Source: BC Government

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Source: Therriault et al. 2012 *Based on probability

  • f survival and arrival

Could they survive?

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A substrate sampler before.... A substrate sampler after being set in the south basin of Lake Winnipeg at Gimli for three months. Source: Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship

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How fast have they spread ?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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How fast have they spread?

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“If they get over the Continental Divide, then British Columbia, Idaho, Washington and Oregon are all vulnerable. No matter how many inspection stations we have, they’ll just float

  • downriver. And it’s not just a tourism matter. We

estimate it will cost the region a half-billion dollars a year for the rest of our lives just to manage impact on hydro, irrigation and fisheries, especially our salmon habitat.”

Matt Morrison, CEO of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (December 1, 2016)

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Estimated Economic Impact for the Okanagan Basin

We estimate that the annual total cost of a mussel invasion to exceed 43 million per year in the first few years from lost revenues and added maintenance of aquatic infrastructure, … in addition to irreparable ecological damage.

$ 43,000,000

We could be 43 million richer for every year we keep the mussels out.

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British Columbia – Summary

Sector Annual costs % total impact Hydropower generation $6,524,532 15.2 Agriculture - Irrigation $14,800,000 34.4 Municipal water supplies $9,251,608 21.5 Recreational boating $12,385,962 28.8 Fisheries, Tourism, Property values ????? Total $42,962,102

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The current level of Montana’s AIS funding, approximately $6.5 million, is roughly 3 percent of the estimated $234 million annual costs for invasive mussel mitigation and lost revenue.

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BC Invasive Mussel Defence Program

 It is MANDATORY

for ALL watercraft to stop at road side inspection stations.

 Watercraft includes

sailboats, motorboats, kayaks, canoes and paddle boards.

Source: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/invasive-mussels

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BC now has 2 dogs trained to detect invasive mussels

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 Monitor the local waters for invasive mussels  Raise awareness about invasive mussels and other AIS, and encourage behavior change: CLEAN-DRAIN-DRY

Regional Aquatics Program

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OASISS worked cooperatively with yacht clubs, marinas, BC Parks and municipalities to monitor the local waters for invasive mussels in 16 locations

Regional Program

Mussel Substrate Monitors

PC: Neil Bousquet

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Mussel Veliger Monitoring

OASISS collected water samples from 20 different locations and partnered with the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society for additional monitoring

PC: Neil Bousquet

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Source: Aquatic Invasive Species Network http://www.westernais.org/monitoring

Mussel Veliger Monitoring In the Columbia Basin

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Regional Program

Distribution of

  • utreach

materials to ~400 locations in the Okanagan valley

Interaction with

~7000 people

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Regional Program

Interactions at

boat launches with ~4000 people

Attendance at 25

community events

16 youth

presentations

9 campground

talks

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Regional Program

Educational Trailer

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RESULTS

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Identified Gaps

 Limited $$  Not all recreational

boaters stop at inspection stations

 Some boaters not

understanding the issue and what they can do about it => lack of awareness

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Possible Solutions - Regionally

 Increase communication /

  • utreach with boaters and

those who service/ sell boats

 Signage at additional boat launches  Workshops and training at boat sales

locations, maintenance shops, dive shops

 Enhanced partnerships with marinas,

yacht clubs – events, training, demonstrations, newsletters/websites, packages to members

 Increased monitoring

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For more information contact: Lisa Scott OASISS Executive Director 250-404-0115

  • asiss@shaw.ca

www.oasiss.ca

Kal Lake Splash Mob Credit: Brynne Morrice