Zebra Mussel FAQs About Monitoring Early Detection of Zebra Mussels in Inland Waters by Citizen Volu

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Zebra Mussel FAQs About MonitoringEarly
Detection of Zebra Mussels in Inland Waters by
Citizen Volunteers
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Zebra Mussels FAQsWhat are They?

• Small D-shaped clams
• Dark brown and white stripes
• Native to Caspian and Black seas
• Arrived in Great Lakes in 1980s in the freshwater
  ballast of ships

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Zebra Mussels FAQsWhy Concern?

• Damage ecology of lakes and rivers
• Colonize in thick mats on docks, boats, motors,
  and submerged rocks
• Kill native mussels
• Foul beaches with sharp shells and pungent odor
• Compete with fish for food
• Clog water supply pipes and boat engines

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Zebra Mussel FAQs
No known way to get rid of them!
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Zebra Mussels FAQs Where Are They?

• Zebra Mussel Distribution
• Spread to many rivers and connected
  waters in eastern U.S.
• Found in inland lakes in only a few
  states
• Not spread far
• Thousands of lakes to protect

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Zebra Mussels FAQsWhat Do They Look Like?

• Larvae (veligers) are microscopic
• Very young feel like fine sandpaper on
  smooth surfaces, like boat hulls
• Grow to size of peppercorns
• Can quickly form barnacle-like colonies
• Adults over 1/2 long can reproduce

Veliger
Zebra mussel peppercorn
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Zebra Mussels FAQsHow Can They Spread?

• Fouled boat hulls
• Plants clinging to boat, motor, trailer and other
  equipment (zebra mussels can attach to plants)
• Water in bait buckets, livewells, and other areas
  and equipment that hold water
• Scuba gear

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Zebra Mussels FAQsWho Can Spread Them?

• Boaters and anglers
• Sailboat users
• Personal watercraft users
• Recreational wild baitfish harvesters
• Waterfowl hunters
• Scuba divers

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Zebra Mussel FAQs How Can I Prevent Spread?

BEFORE launching.BEFORE leaving

• Remove aquatic plants and animals
• Drain lake or river water
• Dispose of unwanted live bait on shore
• Rinse boat and equipment with high pressure, hot
  water, if moored for more than a day, OR
• Dry everything for at least 5 days

Protect Your Property and Our Water Resources
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Zebra MusselsHow Can I Help?

• Help build public awareness
• Know threats posed
• Learn to recognize
• Become a volunteer monitor

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Zebra Mussel Monitoring Why Should I Help?

• Essential to success for prevention and
  control

• Implement containment measures

• Develop new control techniques

• Mitigate impacts on water users

• Because its our personal responsibility

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Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program
- Option 1- Water Sampling

• Sample kits (available on-loan in some states)
• Volunteers sample two times during summer, ship
  water samples to lab for analyses, and ship kit
  back
• Cost is about 100 per season

Taking samples
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Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program
- Option 2 - Visual Inspection for Juveniles and
Adults

• 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 whether you found zebra
  mussels or not

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Resources forZebra Mussel Monitoring
Detecting Zebra Mussels video and Detecting
Zebra Mussels A Monitoring Program for
Citizens Contact MI Sea Grant,
517/353-5508
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Minnesota Zebra Mussel Watch Volunteer Monitor
Instruction Guide Contact MN Sea Grant,
218/726-8712 or MNDNR, 651/297-4888
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Zebra Mussel Monitoring

• Contributes to database

• Maintains healthy ecosystems

• Brings people together around a common
  interest

• Fosters a sense of community

• Provides an early warning program critical
  for resource protection

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Veliger Monitoring
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Insert VideoVideo written byCarol
SwinehartMichigan Sea Grant
Written and produced by
Mike Klepinger ANS Program Coordinator Michigan
Sea Grant
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