Mussel Watch

Shellfish

The Whatcom MRC participates in the large-scale mussel monitoring project led by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). This study continues to support the Stormwater Action Monitoring (SAM) program efforts to measure stormwater impacts on the environment and evaluate the effectiveness of stormwater management actions.

Using mussels as the study organism, WDFW will assess toxic contaminants in nearshore habitats throughout Puget Sound. Similar projects were conducted in the winters of 2012/13 (report available here), 2015/16 (report available here), 2017/18 (report available here), and 2019/20 (report available here). The 2021/22 survey report is pending.

One significant change since the prior surveys is an updated WDFW study design that will support the Puget Sound Vital Signs Toxics in Aquatic Life nearshore indicator. Leveraging the existing caged mussel monitoring program, WDFW will report on the status and trends of nearshore contaminants in Puget Sound using their new study design that groups sites within marine areas and urban embayments. To learn more about the development of this study design and ongoing work see this recorded presentation available on YouTube.

stormwater outfall in the Whatcom Waterway

retrieval of mussel cage after 3 months

Mussel Watch