Freshwater Mussel Propagation for Restoration

Target Audience:

Biologists interested in freshwater mussel biology and freshwater mussel culture techniques.

Summary and Objectives:

This is an introductory course designed to explore all culture activities associated with freshwater mussels. Participants will explore the latest culture techniques as they follow freshwater mussels through their entire life cycle in a culture facility, from the collection of gravid females to stocking cultured juvenile freshwater mussels. Following a basic introduction on mussel biology and the goals of mussel propagation, the course will cover the basics of building a culture facility, collecting and maintaining brood stock, collecting host species, inoculating host species with larval mussels, collecting and culturing juvenile mussels, and releasing juveniles to the wild.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the internal and external anatomy of a freshwater mussel.
• Design a freshwater mussel culture facility.
• Collect and maintain freshwater mussel brood stock and host species in captivity.
• Harvest freshwater mussel larvae and inoculate host species.
• Collect newly metamorphosed juvenile mussels and culture them for release.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the various techniques, equipment, and culture units used in freshwater mussel propagation throughout the U.S.
• Release and monitor cultured juvenile freshwater mussels.
• Maintain accurate records and publish results.

Competencies Addressed: 

Fishery Biology - Basic, Animal Husbandry - Basic, Field Data Collection - Awareness, Invertebrate Zoology - Basic