Currently, dreissenid mussels have yet to be detected in the northwestern part of the United States and western Canada. Infestation of one of the jurisdictions within the mussel-free Pacific Northwest would likely have significant economic, societal and environmental implications for the entire region. Understanding the biology and environmental tolerances of dreissenid mussels, and effectiveness of various management strategies, is key to prevention.
On November 4-5, 2015, a Dreissenid Mussel Research Priorities Workshop funded by the Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative occurred at Portland State University. The purpose of the workshop was to update research priorities in the 2010 Quagga-Zebra Mussel Action Plan in light of the westward expansion of mussels in the United States and Canada.
A total of 28 experts in mussel biology, ecology, and management attended the workshop. A pre-workshop survey was provided to individuals recognized as experts in their field, including some that were unable to attend the workshop. Workshop attendees reviewed the pre-workshop survey results, the priorities from the 2010 Quagga- Zebra Mussel Action Plan, and recommendations made by presenters at the workshop. Attendees then prioritized research within the categories of prevention, detection, monitoring, management and control. In addition, research on the human dimensions of mussel dispersal and management were identified as critical to successful prevention and response to a mussel introduction.
Given the limited resources that exist to conduct dreissenid research, the entities that participated in the pre-workshop survey and the workshop concur that the recommendations of top tier priorities listed in this report are the highest priority dreissenid research projects that should be funded to advance our understanding of dreissenid prevention, detection, control, monitoring and biology.