European Green Crab (European Green Crab (Carcinus maenasCarcinus maenas))::Current Status inCurrent Status in Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador

& Disinfection Protocols for Field Gear and Aquaria Waste& Disinfection Protocols for Field Gear and Aquaria Waste

CC..H.H. McKenzieMcKenzie11, D. Mouland, D. Mouland22, T. Baines, T. Baines11, S. Macneil, S. Macneil11, Philip Sargent, Philip Sargent33, Bob Odonnel, Bob Odonnel33, ,

D. DroverD. Drover11 and Don Deibeland Don Deibel33

11 Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Fisheries & Oceans Canada, 22 NL Dept. Fisheries & Aquaculture, NL Dept. Fisheries & Aquaculture, 33 Ocean Sciences Centre, MUN Ocean Sciences Centre, MUN

Terri BainesTerri Baines

Science BranchScience Branch

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre

Green Crab Meeting, Vancouver, BC Green Crab Meeting, Vancouver, BC

March 10, 2008March 10, 2008

Placentia Bay 2007Placentia Bay 2007First Identification of First Identification of C. maenasC. maenas in Newfoundland Watersin Newfoundland Waters

• Communication efforts have been ongoing since 2006

• Communication through workshops, AIS steering committee, regional meetings, etc.

• Distribution of AIS ID card (seen to the right)

• Local fisherman obtained ID card from regional integrated management meeting which prompted the identification of the European Green Crab in North Harbour, Placentia Bay

Placentia Bay 2007Placentia Bay 2007

AIS Rapid Assessment SurveyAIS Rapid Assessment Survey•• September 10September 10--2424

•• Burin to Long HarbourBurin to Long Harbour

•• Green crab population study (near shore 1m depth and diver transGreen crab population study (near shore 1m depth and diver transects ects in deeper areas) crab pots/beach seinein deeper areas) crab pots/beach seine

•• Discussions with fish harvesters, harbour authorities and generaDiscussions with fish harvesters, harbour authorities and general publicl public

•• Small vessel hulls and wharves Small vessel hulls and wharves -- diversdivers

•• Come by Chance and Whiffen Head jetties/docksCome by Chance and Whiffen Head jetties/docks

•• Shoreline surveyShoreline survey

•• Includes all species of concern Includes all species of concern

•• Environmental data collectedEnvironmental data collected

•• Coastal current data (strength & direction) using acoustic dopplCoastal current data (strength & direction) using acoustic doppler er current profiler from 23’ DFO research vesselcurrent profiler from 23’ DFO research vessel

Placentia Bay 2007Placentia Bay 2007

AIS Rapid Assessment Field TeamAIS Rapid Assessment Field Team

Marine Institute, MUN- Andrew Vickerson

Department of Fisheries& Aquaculture- Derek Mouland

Ocean Sciences Centre, MUN

--Bob O’Donnell, Phil Sargent, Bob O’Donnell, Phil Sargent,

--Renee Boland and Christine VickersRenee Boland and Christine Vickers Fisheries & Oceans

--Cynthia McKenzie, Terri Baines, Cynthia McKenzie, Terri Baines,

--Dwight Drover, Sharon KennyDwight Drover, Sharon Kenny

-- & Sean Macneill& Sean Macneill

AIS PB Green crab presence AIS PB Green crab presence

AIS PB Green crab presence AIS PB Green crab presence

100%18223521470Total

0.11%211Southern Harbour

0.44%817Long Harbour

0.33%607Davis Cove

4.44%812556Come by Chance

0.05%101Arnold’s Cove

1.37%251213Swift Current

93.26%16983131385North Harbour

% DistributionTotalNo. FemaleNo. MaleHarbour

North Harbour North Harbour –– Aug. 23, 2007Aug. 23, 2007

European green crab European green crab ––

Carcinus maenasCarcinus maenasClam bed

destroyed by green crabGreen crab sand burrows

Green crab catch

Photo by: Kenny, 2007

Photo by: Kenny, 2007

Photo by: Kenny, 2007

AIS PB Green crab presence AIS PB Green crab presence

Males

0

20

40

60

80

0 12 17 22 27 32 37 42 47 52 57 62 67 72 77 82 87

PP Width (mm)

Frequency

Females

0

20

40

60

80

0 12 17 22 27 32 37 42 47 52 57 62 67 72 77 82 87

PP Width (mm)

Frequency

Photo by: Baines, 2007

Why a Disinfection Protocol?Why a Disinfection Protocol?

� The majority of European Green Crab invasions throughout the world have been attributed to anthropogenic means (Klassen & Locke, 2008).

� Potential sources of invasion vectors include (Carlton, 2001):1. Ballast water / Hull fouling2. Movement of fouled drydocks, platforms & other floating

structures3. Intentional releases4. Aquaria release5. Movement of research & recreational equipment6. Fisheries & aquaculture introductions

Prevention of Secondary Transport via Prevention of Secondary Transport via

Movement of Research EquipmentMovement of Research Equipment

Photo by: Vickerson, 2007

Use and Movement of Crab PotsUse and Movement of Crab Pots

Problem:1. Small invertebrate organisms,

algae, mud and other fouling material may tangle and stick to mesh and/or wire pots

Technique Used:1. Pots were manually inspected

and cleaned of all algae, mud and other fouling organisms

2. Pots were rinsed

3. Pots used in affected areas were switched with unused pots, or pots that had been disinfected and dried

Photo by: Baines, 2007

Use and Movement of Crab PotsUse and Movement of Crab Pots

Problem:1. Ropes and other materials

used for pot deployment and retrieval may also collect small invertebrate and fouling organisms

Technique Used:1. Ropes, nets and other non-

delicate gear items were dipped in a bucket containing household bleach (full strength, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite) and soaked for ~15-30 mins

Photos by: Kenny, 2007

Use and Movement of Beach SeineUse and Movement of Beach Seine

Problem:1. Beach seine used in areas of

AIS establishment may harbour larvae and/or juveniles throughout the mesh

2. Organisms trapped in the mesh may be hard to detect by visual examination

Technique Used:1. Seawater rinse in the affected

area to wash off large debris

2. Remaining debris was removed by hand and disposed of at the site of collection

3. Netting was inspected to ensure no plant and animal material was still attached

4. When moving from an “infected” to previously unsampled areas seine was dipped in brine solution and soaked for 30 min – 1 hour. Seine was then air dried for as long as possible (at least 1 hour) to allow salt crystallization

Photos by: Kenny, 2007

Problem:1. Divers worked in areas where

several AIS species were established

2. Small fouling organisms, eggs, larvae, fragments of colonial animals, etc. may become tangled in dive gear

3. Field gear (boots, waders, etc) may collect mud & other debris which may harbour invasive organisms or their eggs/larvae

Technique Used:1. Dive gear (suits, tanks, fins,

masks, etc) were rinsed in fresh water and sanitizer/disinfectant

2. Gear was then dried before transferring to another survey area

3. Dive nets and other field gear were either switched out with new gear, or with disinfected and completely dry gear

4. Field gear was rinsed and sprayed with sanitizer/disinfectant and placed in a warm environment until completely dry (at least 30 mins to 1 hour)

Dive & Field Gear UseDive & Field Gear Use

Photo by: Kenny, 2007

Green Crab Tested Treatments and their EffectivenessGreen Crab Tested Treatments and their Effectiveness

NIENIEInitial irritant; effectiveness Initial irritant; effectiveness relative to contact timerelative to contact time

NIENIEInitial irritant; effectiveness Initial irritant; effectiveness relative to contact timerelative to contact time

Acetic Acid (5%)

��Field gear only, not suitable for Field gear only, not suitable for delicate gear or fabricsdelicate gear or fabrics

NIENIEInitial irritant; effectiveness Initial irritant; effectiveness relative to contact timerelative to contact time

NIENIEInitial irritant; effectiveness Initial irritant; effectiveness relative to contact timerelative to contact time

Chemical treatment (Bleach)

��For small gear items (ropes, For small gear items (ropes, nets, etc)nets, etc)

Applied after Applied after physical physical removal for removal for specimen specimen preservationpreservation

NIENIEEffectiveness relative to timeEffectiveness relative to time

NIENIEEffectiveness relative to timeEffectiveness relative to time

Freezing

NIENIEEffectiveness relative to timeEffectiveness relative to time

NIENIEEffectiveness relative to timeEffectiveness relative to time

Suffocation

��Preceded by brine dipPreceded by brine dip

����NENE

May be applied along with other May be applied along with other treatmentstreatments

NENEMay be applied along with other May be applied along with other treatmentstreatments

Desiccation

NENENENEFresh-Chlorinated water dip

��Followed by DesiccationFollowed by Desiccation

NIENIENIENIEEffectiveness relative to contact Effectiveness relative to contact timetime

Brine Dip

����NENENENEFreshwater Dip / Rinse

������IEIE

Time ConsumingTime Consuming

IEIETime ConsumingTime Consuming

Physical removal

Preferred Treatment Methods for Field Gear

Beach SeineDive & Field GearCrab PotsEffectiveness on JuvenilesEffectiveness on adultsTreatment Method

NE – Not Effective on it’s own NIE – Not Immediately Effective IE – Immediately Effective

Problem:1. Eggs and/or larval forms

present in wastewater could remain viable if water is disposed of before disinfection

2. Bacteria and parasites carried by host animals may remain viable in wastewater if not disinfected before disposal

Technique Used:1. Aquaria wastewater (≤ 10.4 L),

from live Green Crab tanks treated with ≥ 60 ml bleach solution (5.25% sodium hypochlorite).

2. Subsamples of wastewater taken before and after treatment and analyzed by compound microscope to ensure effectiveness of disinfectant.

Aquaria WasteAquaria Waste

Photo by: Baines, 2006

Future DirectionFuture Direction

Recent communications with stakeholder groups (including DFO’s small craft

harbours / harbour authorities, fish harvesters and regional committee

groups) indicate a willingness to participate in preventative measures to

prevent further spread of established invasive organisms.

Protocols applied throughout the 2007 field studies will be the basis for

development of preventative protocols to limit the spread of invasive

organisms. Communication efforts under development include:

� Distribution of information cards outlining preventative protocols

� Workshops and info sessions targeted towards fishers, aquaculturists, boaters & other

marine users

� Collaborative efforts with the Newfoundland Aquaculture Association and the Invasive Alien

Species Partnership Program to develop signage, etc which will be posted at public

arenas, wharfs, etc

Funding and CollaborationsFunding and Collaborations

Current survey efforts are funded through the Aquatic Invasive Species

Program (Science Branch) of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Additional funding and services provided by these collaborators:

� Oceans and Habitat Branch (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)

� Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

� Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University

� Marine Institute of Memorial University

� Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association

Photo Credits:Andrew Vickerson, Marine Institute of Memorial UniversityTerri Baines, Fisheries and Oceans CanadaSharon Kenny, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Thank YouThank You

Questions, Comments, Suggestions??Questions, Comments, Suggestions??