Research Work Group Update presented by Ashley Elgin, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The IMC Research Work Group is tasked with coordinating and prioritizing research to maximize and advance dreissenid control outcomes. We recently developed a project inventory to collate information on dreissenid mussel-related projects across organizations and regions. We also worked with managers and researchers to rank dreissenid mussel research priorities, the results of which can help inform future research efforts.

Toxicity Test Work Group Update presented by Diane Waller, U.S. Geological Survey

The IMC Toxicity Testing Work Group is tasked with developing a framework for dreissenid testing which will provide guidance for researchers on testing and reporting methods and inform managers and regulatory agencies on how toxicity data on molluscicides have been generated. We developed a database of dreissenid toxicity studies, both laboratory and open water studies, that will be accessible on the IMC website. We also drafted a guidance document on “best practices” for toxicity testing based on published standard methods, a literature review, and recommendations from an expert panel.

Coastal Site Priorities Work Group: Tools for Identifying Priority Sites for Experimental Mussel Control in the Great Lakes presented by Jeff Tyson, Great Lakes Fishery Commission

The presentation will cover the process that the Coastal Site Priorities Working Group used to identify appropriate sites to implement experimental invasive mussel control. Additionally, the presentation will cover the tools developed for customizing experimental invasive mussel site priority development based upon agency or researcher specified priorities.

Speaker Bios:

Ashley Elgin, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Dr. Ashley Elgin is a benthic ecologist who has been studying the impacts of invasive species on native food webs for more than 15 years.  As a research scientist at NOAA GLERL, she oversees a long-term monitoring program for benthic invertebrates in the Great Lakes, with a focus on invasive quagga and zebra mussels.  She also conducts field and lab experiments to address the many remaining knowledge gaps about these species. Dr. Elgin is based at NOAA’s Lake Michigan Field Station in Muskegon, MI.

Diane Waller, U.S. Geological Survey
Diane Waller is a research fishery biologist with the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) in La Crosse, WI. Her team at UMESC conducts research to inform management actions for controlling and mitigating the impacts of invasive mussels with particular focus on tools and application methods that target vulnerable life stages of dreissenid mussels and minimize adverse impacts to nontarget species.

Jeff Tyson, Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Jeff Tyson has been a Fisheries Management Program Manager at the Great Lakes Fishery Commission since 2016.  In his role with the GLFC Jeff helps facilitate interjurisdictional, coordinated fisheries management with the eight states, the province of Ontario, tribes, and federal agencies with fisheries management responsibilities in the Great Lakes.  In addition to helping facilitate the fisheries management process through the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Jeff has focused on other activities and initiatives influencing fisheries management including identifying environmental and habitat impairments that impact fish and fisheries across the basin and engaging on aquatic invasive species initiatives.