California Sea Grant College Program

Aquatic invasive species (AIS)continue to threaten coastal and marine habitats in California. The goal of this project is to conduct research and develop outreach materials that help agencies, groups and individuals prevent, eradication and control AIS. Current objectives include: 1) investigate recruitment dynamics of quagga mussels in southern California to provide baseline informaiton on infestations in various locations, inform monitoring efforts and to identify factors influencing the success of mussel populations in California, 2) conduct research to evaluate additional eradication and control tactics for development of IPM strategies for lakes, reservoirs and irrigation canals, including the use of fish biological control agents for management of quagga (and zebra) mussels, 3) evaluate IPM strategies for control of Asian kelp, Undaria pinnatifida, including the use of invertebrate biological control agents.