Monitoring can indicate: 1) if any biofouling species are present (also their magnitude and density); 2) what life stages are present so that proper control procedures can be implemented; 3) how successful control methods are. The main problem in devising a monitoring strategy is that there is no single technique presently available that effectively samples all stages of the zebra mussel life cycle in all types of water conditions.
Because the sampling gear available generally focuses on gathering either the floating veliger or the settled juvenile and adult, a table has been developed to assist users. This table can be found at the Monitoring Activity Menu.
Information specific to the collection of floating veligers can be found at the Veliger Collection Techniquessection.
Information specific to the gathering of data on the settled stage can be found at the Monitoring of Settled Juveniles and Adultssection.