Since first appearing in the Great Lakes region in the late 1980s, invasive zebra and quagga mussels have caused significant ecological and economic impacts.  The scope of these impacts has increased and the need for effective control measures has grown as the mussels continue to spread from the Great Lakes across North America.

The Invasive Mussel Collaborative aims to produce measurable ecologic and economic benefits through advancement of scientifically sound technologies designed to control invasive zebra and quagga mussels. The collaborative intends to align existing science and management goals into a common agenda for invasive mussel control by providing a framework for communication and coordination, identifying the needs and objectives of resource managers, prioritizing the supporting science, and recommending communication strategies.

The founding members of the collaborative are the U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. A broad membership base of states, provinces, Indigenous Nations, and other entities forms a well-organized communication network that facilitates the exchange of information between scientists, managers, and stakeholders, while providing ongoing guidance and feedback within an adaptive management framework.