Aquatic invasive species - Freshwater - Data Information
Each partner collects samples on a monthly basis between July and October using a standardized protocol and material provided by DFO. Light traps are used to detect and track invasive pelagic invertebrates, such as the spiny water flea (Bythotrephes longimanus), the bloody red shrimp (Hemimysis anomala), the fishhook water flea (Cercopagis pengoi), and the killer shrimp (Dikerogammarus) villosus). Three light traps are deployed in the water and attached to the docks or port infrastructure at least 1 hour after sunset and retrieved the next morning. For some sites, three vertical zooplankton net (63 µm, 1.5 m length, 0.5 m diameter) tows are performed from a depth of 5 m from the bottom to the surface (or 0.5 m from the bottom if the depth is less than 5 m) to detect zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga (Dreissena bugensis) mussel veligers and other pelagic invertebrates. Temperature and GPS coordinates are noted for each site. At the end of the sampling season, all samples are returned to DFO where they are analyzed in the laboratory.
The results are shared with all partners and disseminated on the open data platform of the St. Lawrence Global Observatory.
Figure 1. Light traps used for the monthly sampling of invasive pelagic invertebrates.
Figure 2. Zooplankton net used at some sites for the monthly sampling of zebra and quagga mussel veligers and other invasive pelagic invertebrates.