Research Document - 2013/060
Application of a Freshwater Mollusc Risk Assessment to Non-indigenous Organisms in Trade in Canada
By B. Schroeder, N.E. Mandrak, and B.C. Cudmore
Abstract
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) threaten global biodiversity and represent the second leading cause of decline among Canadian freshwater species at risk. Establishment of AIS can degrade aquatic habitat, increase competition for resources, and significantly impact long-term sustainability of native species. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is mandated to manage and protect Canada's aquatic ecosystems, the health of which can be negatively influenced following the introduction of AIS. Formalized biological risk assessments are able to generate science advice for informed decision making, but are both time and resource intensive. In contrast, screening-level risk assessments (SLRA) are used to assess and prioritize species in a shorter timeframe using information that is readily available. SLRA have been applied across multiple taxonomic groupings (freshwater fishes, molluscs, and plants) to provide a protocol to identify high risk aquatic AIS to (and within) Canada and provide a national ranking of aquatic AIS based on the biological risk they pose to Canadian aquatic ecosystems. This research document evaluates the application of a SLRA protocol for screening of freshwater molluscs in trade within Canada.
A total of 73 freshwater mollusc species were identified as being available in the live trade pathway and capable of becoming established in Canadian fresh waters including 15 potential species that demonstrate the biological attributes to be considered a nuisance species, species which cause environmental and/or economic damages. Of the 27 mollusc species already introduced to Canada, 14 are considered nuisance species, such as Zebra Mussel and New Zealand Mud Snail, known to have negative impacts on native species.
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