Management & Control

Management of zebra and quagga mussels seeks to prevent further spread and minimize negative impacts of invasive mussels. A variety of tools and strategies have been developed in recent years which are now used to respond to and control invasive mussel populations. As more control methods are developed and become more available, management of invasive mussels becomes more efficient and effective.

The Invasive Mussel Collaborative has developed a management strategy to reduce invasive mussels and their negative impacts. The Strategy to Advance Management of Invasive Zebra and Quagga Mussels is intended to drive investments, policy, and research around invasive mussels across the Great Lakes region and beyond. The strategy identifies research and management objectives to guide the development of effective control methods that can be used to restore impacted ecosystems.

Continue reading to learn more about how zebra and quagga mussels are managed:

Response and Management plans outline a jurisdiction’s management options for invasive mussels and are developed by state, regional, and federal agencies. These plans provide specific guidance for the use of approved control methods and may include guidelines for selecting a control method. Management plans are designed to implement a consistent approach to the management of zebra and quagga mussels within a jurisdiction’s waters.

Control Methods fall into three categories: physical, chemical, or biological. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages and no “silver bullet” exists. Multiple factors, including invasive mussel population size, size and attributes of a water body, and jurisdictional regulations and requirements are considered when selecting a control method for use.

Programs and Projects that advance control and management of invasive mussels take place throughout North America. Our interactive map provides information about many of these programs and projects, connecting researchers and managers and keeping them informed about upcoming and ongoing research.

Literature about different control methods reflects the general status of knowledge about different control methods and helps to inform future work and research.

Resources & Publications

Zequanox Application Technique Pilot Study on Lake Erie

Megan M. Weber, Marrone Bio Innovations; Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Zebra Mussels Invade Ontario Waters

Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program

Highlights