Wavyrayed lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola) recovery strategy: chapter 2

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II. Recovery

• Recovery Goal
• Recovery Objectives (5 year)
• Approaches to Meeting Recovery Objectives
  1. 1) Research and Monitoring Approaches
  2. 2) Management Approaches
  3. 3) Stewardship Approaches
  4. 4) Awareness Approaches
• Actions Already Completed or Underway
• Recovery Action Plans

Recovery Goal

The long-term goal of this recovery strategy is to prevent the extirpation of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel in Canada and to promote the recovery of this species by:

1. protecting existing populations to prevent further declines,
2. restoring degraded populations to healthy self-sustaining levels by improving the extent and quality of habitat and
3. re-introducing the Wavyrayed Lampmussel into areas where it formerly existed where feasible.

Morris et al. (2005) recommend that recovery of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel be assessed using a hierarchical approach where recovery at the species level is dependent upon achieving desired goals at the population and individual levels. They have identified 6 extant and 4 extirpated population units and suggest that these units should form the basis for any evaluation of species recovery.

Recovery Objectives (5 year)

1. Determine extent, abundance and population demographics of existing populations.
2. Determine/confirm fish hosts, their distributions and abundances.
3. Define key habitat requirements to identify Critical Habitat.
4. Establish a long-term monitoring program for Wavyrayed Lampmussels, their habitat and that of their hosts.
5. Identify threats, evaluate their relative impacts and implement remedial actions to reduce their effects.
6. Examine the feasibility of relocations, reintroductions and artificial propagation.
7. Increase awareness of the significance of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel and its status as a Canadian Species at Risk.

Approaches to Meeting Recovery Objectives

The approaches to recovery have been organized into four distinct groups – research and monitoring, management, stewardship and awareness. Successful recovery across the range of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel will require consideration of all approaches from all categories. Approaches have been prioritized in a relative sense only as the OFMRT feels that all approaches would assist in meeting the recovery objectives. Recovery actions that consider multiple approaches will likely have a greater chance of achieving the recovery goals. A narrative has been included after each table where appropriate.

1-1 & 1-2: Additional surveys are required to confirm the complete extent of Wavyrayed Lampmussel distributions in the Ausable, Grand and Thames Rivers. Particular areas in need of additional survey work have been identified under Knowledge Gaps in the Background section. A thorough understanding of all current and historic distributions is a necessity for determination of Critical Habitat as indicated by the schedule of activities in Table 4. In the case of the newly discovered Maitland River population, additional surveys will need to be more exhaustive than in the other drainages.

1-3 – 1-5: Critical Habitat is a cornerstone concept of SARA and represents one of the best tools for preserving the Wavyrayed Lampmussel. Given the present knowledge of the species it is not possible to identify Critical Habitat at this time however the activities identified in items 1-3 to 1-5, and those in Table 4, will begin to fill the gaps and allow for a description of Critical Habitat. Additional data collected in conjunction with the populations surveys will assist with determining habitat requirements while surveys to map areas which possess the identified habitat requirements will assist with identifying areas of Critical Habitat.

1-6 & 1-7: The obligate parasitic larval stage of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel represents a potential bottleneck in its lifecycle. Research and recovery actions focusing on the pre or post encystment period may prove unproductive if the presence of a host fish is the limiting step. In order to determine if these species are host limited it is necessary to first confirm the host species and then to confirm that the distributions of the mussel and its host overlap in time and space in a manner that will permit successful encystment. The identification of high host specificity in some mussel species requires that hosts be identified for local populations whenever possible. Efforts should be directed towards confirming that species identified as hosts for American populations also function as hosts in Canada.

Once the Canadian hosts have been confirmed it is necessary to ensure that host species distributions overlap with Wavyrayed Lampmussel distributions. Since the adult mussels are sedentary this can be accomplished by confirming that members of the hosts species occur in reaches with mature female mussels at times when the female mussels possess mature glochidia.

1-8 – 1-10: A network of detailed, permanent monitoring stations should be established throughout the present and historic ranges of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel. Monitoring sites should be established in a manner so as to permit:

• Quantitative tracking of changes in mussel abundance or demographics (size distribution, age structure etc.) or that of their hosts.
• Detailed analyses of habitat use and the ability to track changes in use or availability.
• The ability to detect the presence of exotic species (i.e. zebra mussels). Reservoirs represent the likely seed locations for zebra mussels in the inland rivers. Monitoring sites should be established within or close to these reservoirs to permit the early detection of zebra mussels in the event that they invade these systems. Monitoring of exotics in the Lake St. Clair delta will likely be conducted in close association with the managed refuge sites.

Monitoring stations established to benefit Wavyrayed Lampmussels will provide the opportunity to collect data on the distribution, demographics, habitat and hosts of all mussel species and will be incorporated into the recovery plans for other mussel SAR.

1-11: An assessment of instream barriers should be conducted for all watersheds where the Wavyrayed Lampmussel is known to exist. Barriers should be mapped and their effects on local habitat conditions (e.g., flow, temperature, substrate stability and composition) should be assessed to determine if they are impacting Wavyrayed Lampmussel habitat. While instream barriers have been largely cited as having a detrimental effect on mussels through temperature and hydraulic changes as well as restricting host distributions, anecdotal evidence indicates that small barriers on the Sydenham River may be providing habitat for hosts of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel (pers. comm., M. Andreae, SCRCA, October 2003).

1-13 – 1-16: Additional surveys and monitoring may reveal that some populations are not likely to persist without active intervention. In some cases these populations may benefit from supplementation with individuals from nearby stable locations or through stocking with artificially reared juveniles. Research into the feasibility of population augmentation should begin immediately to prepare for this possibility and should be directed towards:

• Identifying genetically suitable stocks for source populations.
• Establishing laboratory rearing procedures. U.S. groups have had great success in producing juvenile Wavyrayed Lampmussels in captivity and successfully rearing them to reproductive maturity (Hanlon 2000). Consultation with these groups will likely contribute to the development of successful protocols in Canada.
• Evaluating methods to maximize survival of transplanted individuals.

2-1: The current capacity within southern Ontario to perform the necessary survey and monitoring work is insufficient. Knowledge of freshwater mussel identification, distribution, life history and genetics is limited to a small number of individuals from a limited number of government and academic institutions with the retirement of several key researchers expected prior to the 5-year re-evaluation period for this strategy. A concerted effort must be made to increase this capacity by:

• Training personnel in the identification of all mussel species with emphasis on the rare species.
• Producing a field guide to the mussels of Ontario.
• Encouraging graduate and post-graduate research aimed at fulfilling the needs identified under Research and Monitoring.

2-2: Many of the threats to the Wavyrayed Lampmussel can be classified as widespread and chronic (See Threats section) and represent general ecosystem threats affecting numerous other aquatic species. Efforts to remediate these threats will benefit many species in addition to the Wavyrayed Lampmussel and should be implemented in close connection with the aquatic ecosystem recovery teams for the Thames, Grand and Sydenham rivers (see section entitled Actions already completed or underway) to eliminate duplication of efforts and ensure that undertaken activities are not detrimental to other species.

2-3: The host fish for the Wavyrayed Lampmussel may have to be afforded some degree of protection beyond those of the Ontario Fishery Regulations if the species is to recover. The likely host species, smallmouth bass, is a popular sport-fish species and subject to intense angling pressure throughout the distribution of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel. Since the smallmouth bass is not listed by COSEWIC this species receives no direct protection under SARA although the potential role of hosts as residences for larval mussels may trigger future protection under the act. It will be necessary to develop a formal management plan for the smallmouth bass and any species identified as a host for the Wavyrayed Lampmussel to ensure that host populations remain healthy and do not hinder recovery of the mussels.

2-4: In the event that the routine monitoring programs (1-10) detect the presence of zebra mussels or other exotic species within the range of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel, a coordinated plan should be developed to ensure a quick response. The plan should include an assessment of potential risks and proposed actions (e.g., eradication of exotics, relocation of native mussels or shell cleaning).

2-5: Drainage development and maintenance activities that mitigate existing threats and prevent the continued degradation of aquatic habitat within the range of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel should be supported and promoted.

2-7: The Wavyrayed Lampmussel is a species adapted to hydrologically stable flow regimes and does not possess any of the shell modifications typical of species adapted to high shear environments (Watters 1994). The species has also been identified by Tetzloff (2001) as one of the most susceptible species to low dissolved oxygen conditions which may be associated with toxic events or reductions in flow conditions (Johnson et al. 2001). Careful consideration must be paid to the management of flow regimes in rivers with Wavyrayed Lampmussels to ensure that flow conditions remain within preferred levels for this species.

The activities characterized in this section, and represented by the sample of activities above, embody sound agricultural practices that when implemented will benefit both the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These activities can generally be referred to as 'best management practices'. In the three watersheds with aquatic ecosystem recovery strategies (Sydenham, Thames, Ausable) as well as the two watersheds with other recovery plans (Grand, Lake St. Clair) it will be important for members of the OFMRT to interact closely with members of these teams when carrying out recovery actions for the Wavyrayed Lampmussel. Many of the ecosystem teams will have established stewardship liaisons and have activities already underway which will mesh nicely with the actions required to benefit the Wavyrayed Lampmussel.

4-1: The likely host of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel, the smallmouth bass, is a popular sport-fish in southern Ontario and necessitates a thorough outreach program with the sport-fish industry. Outreach activities should be directed at ensuring a non-destructive sport-fishery directed at locations and times when smallmouth bass are unlikely to be harbouring Wavyrayed Lampmussel glochidia.

4-3 & 4-4: Increasing basic mussel knowledge and identification skills was identified as a key Management objective (2-1) and can be assisted through the development of the Awareness materials identified here including the development of a mussel field guide for Ontario and a hands-on workshop for interested government, agency, NGO, Aboriginal peoples and individuals.

4-5: Increased public knowledge and understanding of the Wavyrayed Lampmussel will play a key role in the recovery of this, and other, endangered mussels. The role that freshwater mussels play within the aquatic ecosystem and their role as indicators of habitat degradation and human health hazards must be conveyed to all stakeholder groups. Outreach programs should be developed for landowners, interest groups, schools and any interested parties.

Potential Impacts of Recovery Strategy on Other Species/Ecological Processes

The Wavyrayed Lampmussel is a sensitive species, particularly to issues of water clarity and quality. For this reason, we expect that efforts made to improve conditions for the Wavyrayed Lampmussel will benefit most other aquatic species. A few opportunistic species that can readily adapt to degraded conditions (e.g., Pyganodon grandisor Pimephales promelas) may see a decline in numbers/range as a result of rehabilitative efforts. These changes should not be viewed in a negative light but rather as a resetting of the aquatic community to pre-disturbance conditions.

Actions Already Completed or Underway

Sydenham Recovery Ecosystem Strategy

The Sydenham River Recovery Team was formed in 1999 and charged with developing an ecosystem based recovery strategy for the Sydenham River basin.  The recovery strategy focuses on the 14 aquatic species (5 mussels including the Wavyrayed Lampmussel, 8 fishes, 1 turtle) within the basin that have been listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern by the COSEWIC. The primary objective of the recovery strategy “is to sustain and enhance the native aquatic communities of the Sydenham River through an ecosystem approach that focuses on species at risk” (Dextrase et al. 2003).  The Sydenham River Recovery Team has formed four Recovery Implementation Groups (RIG): management, stewardship, research and monitoring, and community outreach.

Thames River Recovery Ecosystem Strategy

The Thames River Recovery Team has set out to develop an ecosystem based recovery strategy for the Thames River watershed. The stated goal is to develop “a recovery plan that improves the status of all aquatic species at risk in the Thames River through an ecosystem approach that sustains and enhances all native aquatic communities” (Thames River Recovery Team 2003). This recovery strategy addresses 25 COSEWIC listed species including 7 mussels, 12 fishes and 6 reptiles.

Ausable River Ecosystem Recovery Strategy

The Ausable River Recovery Team is developing an ecosystem Recovery Strategy for the 14 COSEWIC listed aquatic species in the Ausable River basin. This plan covers 4 endangered mussel species including the Wavyrayed Lampmussel. The goal of the strategy is to “prepare a recovery plan (recovery strategy + action plan) that sustains and enhances the native aquatic communities of the Ausable River through an ecosystem approach that focuses on species at risk “ (Ausable River Recovery Team 2003).

Grand River Fish Species at Risk Recovery Strategy

The Grand River Recovery Team has developed a draft recovery strategy for fish species at risk in the Grand River. The goal of this strategy is “to conserve and enhance the native fish community using sound science, community involvement and habitat improvement measures” (Portt et al. 2003). Although the strategy does not directly address the Wavyrayed Lampmussel, “(its) habitat preferences and requirements will be taken into account when assessing management actions targeting fish species at risk. In most cases, it is anticipated that recovery actions benefiting fishes at risk will also benefit these other rare species” (Portt et al. 2003).

Walpole Island Ecosystem Recovery Strategy

The Walpole Island Ecosystem Recovery Strategy Team was established in 2001 to develop an ecosystem based recovery strategy for the area containing the St. Clair delta with the goal of outlining steps to be taken to maintain or rehabilitate the ecosystem and species at risk (Walpole Island Heritage Centre 2002). Although the strategy is initially focusing on terrestrial ecosystems, aquatic species are included in the draft strategy. 

Fish Host Identification

A research group led by Dr. G. L. Mackie and Dr. J Ackerman has been established at the University of Guelph to investigate aspects of the reproductive cycle of freshwater mussels (host fish determination, glochidial development, juvenile growth and survival). The group conducts its research at the Hagen Aqua Lab on the grounds of the university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. This facility has already been used to investigate potential hosts for five species of endangered mussels including the Wavyrayed Lampmussel (McNichols et al. 2005).

Source Protection Planning

A White Paper on Watershed-based Source Protection Planning was released in February 2004 (Ontario Ministry of the Environment 2004). Source Protection Planning will identify potential sources of contamination to the surface water and groundwater, determine how much water is readily available, evaluate where that water is vulnerable to contamination and implement programs to minimize risk of contamination to water quality as well as minimizing threats to water quantity.

Allowable Harm Analysis

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in partnership with other interested parties, has initiated an analysis of the potential for Wavyrayed Lampmussel populations to withstand any additional level of human-induced mortality without impeding recovery of the species. This Allowable Harm Analysis (AHA) is being conducted on the population units recommended by Morris et al. (2005) and will assist managers when making decisions regarding development activities within the watersheds occupied by the Wavyrayed Lampmussel.

Recovery Action Plans

One or more action plans relating to this recovery strategy will be produced within 5 years of the strategy being published.

Evaluation

The routine monitoring programs will provide the primary means of evaluating the success of the listed recovery approaches. The monitoring programs will provide trend through time data allowing the tracking of Wavyrayed Lampmussel populations and habitat and will form the basis of an adaptive management program. Recovery Implementation Groups will develop specific goals in the Recovery Action Plans to provide a further basis for evaluating success. The entire Recovery Strategy will be reviewed in 5 years at which time all goals, objectives and approaches will be re-evaluated.