Abstract
In the present study, navigational buoys were used to monitor Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel), an aquatic invasive species in Otsego Lake, New York. Buoys from the north and south sites of Otsego Lake were taken out of the water on December 29 and December 31, 2012, respectively, after being in the water since April 14, 2012. All sampled mussels were frozen until further analyzed; an electronic caliper and compound microscope were used to measure shell lengths. We observed growth, settlement, and density of each colonized buoy and determined that light shielded bottom sides of the buoy had the most colonization whereas the shallowest submersed side had the least. Shell length of mussels from the south site was significantly larger than those from the north site. The mussels from the metal anchor-chain ring at the deepest end of the buoy were the largest, while no difference was found among the rest. Colonization of zebra mussels can be due to specific substrate types and amount of nutrition available in the habitat. Additionally research is recommended comparing buoy designs to determine if buoys without light shielded bottoms will be less colonized.
Highlights
Invasions of non-indigenous species (NIS) are acknowledged as one of the major threats to natural environments - terrestrial, freshwater and marine - having ecological, economic and social consequences
When dealing with the international agreements and measures to prevent introduction of marine Invasive Alien Species (IAS), the following documents are fundamental to the conservation and management of the marine environment: the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (IMO 2004), ICES Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms (ICES 2005), Alien Species in Aquaculture - IUCN considerations for responsible use (Hewitt et al 2006), EC Regulation on concerning use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture (European Commission 2007) and EC Marine Strategy Framework Directive (European Commission 2008)
A recent study of diatoms and dinoflagellates reported as NIS in European Seas found dubious identifications, and that synonyms were included as separate species (Gómez 2008)
Summary
Invasions of non-indigenous species (NIS) are acknowledged as one of the major threats to natural environments - terrestrial, freshwater and marine - having ecological, economic and social consequences. A recently published Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (European Commission 2013) states that “...The impact of IAS on biodiversity is significant ... The EU Biodiversity Strategy (European Commission 2011) aims that "...by 2020, Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and their pathways are identified and prioritised, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and pathways are managed to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS...". Stemming from a recent freshwater invasives conference, Caffrey et al (2014) identified ’the top 20 issues that relate to IAS management in Europe“. We agree and support all the issues proposed, and would like to contribute to this important initiative by adding six important topics that relate to the marine environment
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