Zebra Mussel Monitoring Plates
This summer, as part of our ongoing monitoring efforts to determine the extent of the spread of Zebra Mussels, we are installing collector plates off the sides of floating docks.
A collector plate all ready fro deployment into the waterfor the summer season. Photo: New Brunswick Invasive Species Council
Zebra Mussel collector plates, also known as settlement plates are designed with the intent to passively monitor for Zebra Mussels and/or Quagga Mussels in infested waters, as the plates provide them with a surface to colonize. They do this by acting as an intermediate surface in the water column for veligers (Zebra Mussel larval life stage) to affix to and continue their growth cycle. The intent of the plates are to be able to observe Zebra Mussels as they grow, to monitor for presence and density.
We are deploying a number of these plates along the Wolastoq | Saint John River and its tributaries. We are able to do this work through the generous support of our funders at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Environmental Trust Fund.
A Zebra Mussel collector plate being deployed off the side of a floating dock. Photo: New Brunswick Invasive Species Council
Depolyed and submerged collector plate hanging off the side of a floating dock. Photo: New Brunswick Invasive Species Council
If you find one of our collector plates while enjoying your time on the water, please do not disturb it or remove it from the water! The plates need to be suspended in the water column in order to monitor for these invasive mussels. We will return to collect the equipment before the docks are removed for the winter, approximately at the end of September or mid-October.
To contact us about collector plate locations, to report a problem with the sampling equipment, or for any other related questions please contact us here:
New Brunswick Invasive Species Council (NBISC)
Phone: (506) 452-6907
Email: info@nbinvasives.ca
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Phone: 1-866-759-6600
Email: DFO.GulfAquaticInvaders-EnvahisseursaquatiquesduGolfe.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca