Economic Value of Potentially Affected
Fisheries / Geographic Distribution (USA):
Zebra Mussel
(Drssena Polymorpha) / PSMFC Funded Projects,
Reports / Publications / Links
(USGS Fact Sheet) / Educational
Materials
DO you want to become a Zebra Mussel Monitoring Volunteer? Visit the PSU substrate monitoring project website [button this]

Species:Zebra Mussel (Driessena polymorpha)

Status

The zebra mussel is listed as an injurious species under the federal Lacey Act. Possession of zebra mussels is prohibited by state law in ****all western states*** (USFWS 1989).

Synopsis

The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a small bivalve mollusk with two matching half shells. Its name is derived from the striped pattern on its shell. The zebra mussel originated in the Balkans, Poland, and the former Soviet Union and was introduced in the mid-1980’s into the Laurentian Great Lakes as a result of the discharge ballast water which contained zebra mussel ***larvae*** (called veligers). It rapidly dispersed throughout the Great Lakes and major river systems from the Mississippi River east due to its tremendous reproductive capability and the ability to attach itself to boats and move overland to uninfected waters. The zebra mussel is now found in 22 states and two Canadian provinces.

The zebra mussel is one of the most economically damaging aquatic organisms to invade the United States. Its destructive power lies in its sheer numbers and its ability to attach itself to solid objects – water intake pipes, propellers, boat hulls, dock pilings, submerged rocks and even other aquatic animals. Zebra mussel populations can reach astonishing densities, up to 750,000 individuals per square meter in layers more than a foot thick (though densities of ******* are more common).

If introduced into the ColumbiaRiver basin, zebra mussels could threaten the health and survival of native salmon and steelhead stocks, many of which are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Zebra mussels would likely attach themselves to fish ladders, fish diversion screens, and other pipes and conduits that sensitive salmon species use to make their way around dams. The result would not only include expensive maintenance, but physical damage to adult and juvenile salmon, which would ultimately reduce survival of these imperiled stocks.

The impact to the regions power generation capacity ….**********see economic impacts************

Geographic Distribution (USA): Zebra Mussel (Driessena polymorpha)

Economic Value of Fisheries Resources That Potentially Could Be Affected by by Zebra mussel
Pacific Salmon (coho, chinook), Cape Falcon, Oregon to Canadian Border, Ocean Fishery (Pacific Fisheries Management Council 2005):
  • Estimates of ex-vessel value for Council-adopted 2005 non-Indian commercial troll salmon fishery: $1.798 million.
  • Coastal community income from recreational ocean fishery in 2004: $7,625,000.
Steelhead Fishing, Economic Value, Washington (estimate): $44[1]value per angler day x $2,483,000 angler days trout fishing = $109,252,000 (Figures taken from USFWS, 2003a, USFWS, 2003b)

PSMFC Funded Projects

Project: Zebra Mussel Substrate Sampling

Investigator: Center for Lakes and Reservoirs,PortlandStateUniversity

Contacts: Mary Pfauth (***need email***) and Dr. Mark Sytsma ()

Progress Reports

Latest Progress Report

Project: Samplingfor zebra mussels and other AIS at the trash racks at Bonneville, John Day, IceHarbor, and Lower Granite Hydroelectric Projects in the Columbia and SnakeRivers.

Investigator: Center for Lakes and Reservoirs,PortlandStateUniversity

Contacts: Mary Pfauth (***need email***) and Dr. Mark Sytsma (), Tim Darland, US Army Corps of EngineersBonneville Lock and Dam ()

Project to be Started in late 2006

Publications

Please refer to the following PSMC issue paper:“Potential Economic Impacts of Zebra Mussels on the Hydropower Facilities in the ColumbiaRiver Basin”. [BUTTON this]

Publications: Report ***put file name here***

Agency Links

Zebra Mussel Substrate Monitoring, Center for Lakes and Reservoirs, PortlandStateUniversity *********website for psu CLR substrate page***********

**** zebra page****Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Ny sea grant

Corps zm page

******etc.**********

U.S. Geological Survey **********************

FAO Fisheries Global Information System

Educational Materials

Zebra Mussel Watch Cards

Zap the Zebra ***need picture and how to order info******

References

Pacific Fishery Management Council. 2005. Preseason Report III. Analysis of Council Adopted Management Measures for 2005 Ocean Salmon Fisheries. Published April 2005.

USFWS. 2003a. Net Economic Values for Wildlife Related Recreation in 2001, Addendum to the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting andWildlife-Associated RecreationReport 2001-3September 2003. 28 pp.

USFWS 2003b. 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Colorado. FHW/01-CO-Rev. 86 pp

[1] $54 per day based on trout fishing expenditure, as steelhead expenditure not available.