Terms of Reference

National risk assessment of Zebra Mussel, Quagga Mussel and Dark Falsemussel

National Peer Review – National Capital Region

March 27 - 28, 2012
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Chairperson: Marten Koops

Context

Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), Quagga Mussel (D. bugenis) and Dark Falsemussel (Mytilopsis leucophaeata) are aquatic invasive species. The first two species were introduced in the early 1990s initially into the Great Lakes from ballast water discharge from ships from Eastern Europe, where these species are indigenous. These mussels have rapidly dispersed throughout the Great Lakes region into river systems and smaller lakes due to passive drifting at the larval stage and their ability to attach to the hulls of boats. In addition, these mussels are very prolific and can have profound effects on ecosystems by depleting the biomass of phytoplankton communities, which in turn affect the composition of other communities within the ecosystem. Also of concern is a potential invader related to these two mussel species, the Dark Falsemussel.

As a result of the spread of the Zebra Mussel to areas beyond the Great Lakes region, including a steady movement west in North America, and the resulting significant environmental and economic problems, several provinces have requested Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Centre of Expertise for Aquatic Risk Assessment (CEARA) to conduct a national risk assessment of the Zebra, Quagga, and Dark False- mussels throughout most of Canada. The purpose of this CSAS process is to peer review the risk assessment of these three mussels and provide scientific advice. The advice resulting from this process will be used as the scientific basis to help risk manage these species for managers in both federal and provincial jurisdictions.

Objectives

The objective of the meeting is to collect expert advice on the following aspects of the draft risk assessment documents.

• Are components missing from the draft documents?
• Are the determined risk ratings scientifically sound and defensible?
• Are the limitations of the studies clearly outlined?

Expected publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Documents

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) experts from the Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Ecosystem and Fisheries Management, Policy and Economic Sectors
• Provinces of British Colombia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec
• Academia