Could Diseases in Blue Mussels Affect Wild Populations and Commercial Culture in Rhode Island Waters? presented at April 14th, 2014 Rhode Island Shellfish Management Plan Stakeholder meeting by R. Smolowitz and D. Leavitt

1. R. Smolowitz, D. Leavitt
Could Diseases in Blue Mussels Affect Wild Populations
and Commercial Culture in Rhode Island Waters?
Figure 1: Recent worldwide increases in aquaculture production of blue
mussel (Source: FAO FishStat )
Table 1: A summary of common diseases noted
in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis. (From:
FAO 2004)

2. Diseases have and continue to
have devastating effects on
cultured bivalves!
We have a chance to get
ahead of the curve.
Table 1: A summary of common diseases noted
in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis. (From:
FAO 2004)
Types of effects:
Chronic
Acute!

3. Trematode Disease is present in Blue Mussels from the
NE US.
Mussel gonadal tubules in the mantle contain
numerous sporocysts with germinal balls and
rediae (A). Normal appearing gonadal tubules
are noted in one area of the mantle (B). An
early infection: sporocysts are contained in the
gonadal tubules and no inflammation is present
in the tissues.

4. Microsporidial Disease of Blue Mussel in the
NE US
Steinhausia sp. infection of blue mussel
eggs. The microsporidial parasite is shown in
the remaining intact eggs (A). Gonadal
tubules are destroyed and hemocytic
inflammation is intermixed with egg debris
and parasites
Other host!
Other host!

5. Specific Objectives:
1. Determination of prevalence and severity of mussel diseases in
three sizes of wild and cultured stocks throughout Rhode Island
2. Identification of environmental and physiological parameters
characteristic of each sample site and time.
3. Association of disease with physiological condition and/or
environmental data.
4. Extension of information from the study via outreach activities.
Determination of effect of these diseases on aquacultured stock!
1. Identification of diseases that need controls
2. Leading to management and detection methods for
diseases of importance

6. Stake holder involvement:
Sites for mussel collection:
two aquaculture sites (Bill and Adam Silkes)
two/three wild populations of mussels (Jeff Grant and
others)
RWU dock site
Any location with a mortality event (please contact us!)
Am. Mussel Harvester’s
website

7. Drawing by Iris Churcher,
Malaspina University-College
Questions?