November 5 6, 2015

Kuujjuaq, Quebec
,

November 17 18, 2015

Iqaluit, Nunavut
,

Aquatic Invasive Species

Knowledge Transfer
Workshops

TABLE OF

CONTENTS
Introduction.................................................................. 3 4
About CAISN...................................................................... 5
Acknowledgements............................................................ 6
Meet the Scientists............................................................. 7
Philippe Archambault..................................................... 7
Sarah Bailey.................................................................... 7
Kimberly Howland........................................................... 7
Chris McKindsey............................................................. 8
Tom Therriault................................................................. 8
Oscar Casas-Monroy...................................................... 9
Frdric Chain................................................................ 9
Farrah Chan.................................................................... 9
Deanna Ferguson......................................................... 10
Jesica Goldsmit............................................................ 10
Heather Hawk............................................................... 10
Anas Lacoursire-Roussel........................................... 10
Kevin Ma....................................................................... 11
Dustin Raab.................................................................. 11
Rob Young.................................................................... 11
Agenda..................................................................... 13 14
Presentation Abstracts............................................. 15 29
Introduction to Invasion Ecology and Transport Vectors... 15
Ballast Water Regulations............................................. 16
MV ARCTIC Voluntary Exchange Project..................... 17
Coldwater Treatment Testing........................................ 18
Ship Biofouling Vector.................................................. 19
DFO Arctic Ballast Water Risk Assessment.................. 20
Baseline Port Surveys................................................... 21
Species Distribution Modelling .................................... 22
DNA Barcoding............................................................. 23
Next Generation Sequencing....................................... 24
Environmental DNA (eDNA).......................................... 25
FlowCAM..................................................................... 26
Recruitment Plates........................................................ 27
Community Based Monitoring and Citizen Science..... 28
Planned Research (Funded)......................................... 29
Group Brainstorm Session............................................... 30
Workshop Activities.................................................. 31 33
Ballast Water Compliance Monitoring.......................... 31
Identification of Potential Aquatic Invaders.................. 32
LifeScanner Activity...................................................... 33

Introduction..................................................................................... 3 4
CAISN .......................................................................... 5
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MV ARCTIC ......... 17
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DNA (eDNA)...............................25
FlowCAM..............................................................26
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()....................29
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.................................................. 31 33
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LifeScanner ...................................................................33

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Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are a leading cause

of biodiversity loss around the world. While the Arctic
Ocean may have been naturally protected from invasive
species in the past by harsh environmental conditions
intolerable by southern species, climate change driven
reductions in environmental barriers (e.g. increased
water temperature and decreased salinity and ice
cover) will likely make northern waters vulnerable
to establishment by more temperate organisms.
In addition, climate change will also increase the
navigability of the Arctic Ocean and the feasibility
of industrial developments, leading to increases in
international and domestic shipping major pathways
for species introductions through ballast water and hullfouling vectors.
Prior to Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network
(CAISN) research, it was not known how many AIS or
even native species existed in Canadian Arctic waters,
as systematic surveys had never been conducted
there. CAISN projects undertook the first in-depth
assessments of biodiversity in Arctic ports, providing
an essential information baseline that can be used to
gauge future changes in species composition. Risk
assessments completed by CAISN researchers in
partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada have
already been used to predict environmental impacts

and provide guidance in the development of AIS

monitoring programs for new mining developments in
the north. Furthermore, CAISN research is expected to
be the primary source of baseline data for additional
environmental impact reviews in the coming years.
The purpose of this workshop will be to disseminate
knowledge gained from Arctic-relevant research projects
to northern decision makers and communities and to
gain feedback on concerns, issues, and directions for
future AIS monitoring and research in the region.
Workshop objectives are to:
create a unique opportunity for multiple researchers
from CAISN to share their Arctic-relevant research
results in a manner that is directly accessible and
relevant to end users
stimulate exchange of information and enhance
interaction between northern decision makers and
communities and CAISN researchers
provide opportunity for community members and
decision makers to provide input into decisions
regarding directions for future research and
monitoring of AIS

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ABOUT

CAISN

CAISN

The Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN

2006-2011) was established with the goal of identifying and
quantifying the vectors and pathways by which AIS enter
Canada, determining factors that affect their colonization
success, and developing risk assessment models for
potential and existing AIS. The CAISN II (2011 2016)
builds on the findings of CAISN and is addressing further
information gaps by focusing on four new core themes: early
detection, rapid response, AIS as part of multiple stressors,
and reducing uncertainty in prediction and management.
Importantly, CAISN is conducting its first series of research
efforts in the Arctic, where increased shipping, due in part to
climate change, has put it at greater risk than ever before for
aquatic invasion.
CAISN II is a coast (Atlantic) to coast (Pacific) to coast
(Arctic) to coast (Great Lakes) Network, bringing together
31 researchers from 13 partner universities and six federal
laboratories. Our research incorporates broad taxonomic,
ecosystem, geographic, mathematic and philosophical
diversity. CAISN II combines the various skills and interests
of academia, government, industry, and non-government
organizations with the aim to assist affected industries,
develop government policy, and advance invasion science
and technology. In addition, CAISN II is training graduate and
postdoctoral students with a specialization in invasive species.
CAISN II is developing international guidance on standards
and methodologies applicable to AIS and placing Canada
in a leading role to provide the international community with
mitigation measures and monitoring tools through which
inter-agency research and management of aquatic invasive
species may be conducted.
Visit www.caisn.ca to learn more about CAISN and our
research activities.

(CAISN 20062011)
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About CAISN
CAISN

Acknowledgements

Funding for the Aquatic Invasive Species Knowledge Transfer

Workshops was provided by the Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Strategic Network
Enhancement Initiative.

(NSERC)
.

Funding and logistical support for aquatic invasive

species research activities in the Canadian Arctic (20102015) provided by the following agencies are gratefully
acknowledged:

(2010-2015)
:

Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association, Igloolik and Hall Beach Hunters and Trappers Organizations, Salluit Hunters, Fishers, and
Trappers Association, Qaqqalik Land Holding Corporation
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MEET THE

SCIENTISTS

Primary Investigators

Philippe Archambault

Sarah Bailey

Philippe is a Professor at Institut des sciences de la mer,

University of Quebec at Rimouski. His current research
focuses on the influence of anthropogenic and natural
disturbances (such as invasive species and hypoxia) on
benthic biodiversity functioning and spatial modeling of
benthic biodiversity in Arctic and subarctic regions. He is also
on the Arctic expert panel in the working group Conservation
of Arctic Flora and Fauna of the Arctic Council.

Sarah is a Research Scientist with Fisheries and Oceans

Canada in Burlington, Ontario. She has studied risks of, and
solutions for, ship-mediated aquatic invasive species for
15 years, and published >50 scientific papers, book
chapters and technical reports on this subject. Sarahs
Arctic research includes biological sampling of ballast water
and biofouling, risk assessment and evaluating ballast
treatment systems.

Kimberly Howland

Kim is a Research Scientist with Fisheries and Oceans

Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Arctic node lead for
the CAISN network. She has conducted aquatic ecology
research in the Arctic for over 20 years. Her work on marine
aquatic invasive species in this region focusses on improving
baseline coastal biodiversity information, risk assessments
of shipping pathways and species, predictive modelling of
habitat suitability for high risk species, and incorporating
early detection tools in community-based monitoring.

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Meet The Scientists

Chris McKindsey

Tom Therriault

Chris is a Research Scientist with Fisheries and Oceans

Canada in Mont-Joli, Qubec. He has studied invasive
species for 10 years, concentrating on methods to detect
them, the risks and impacts of these organisms on the
ecosystem and industry, and ways to mitigate impacts. Chris
work in the Arctic includes biological sampling of coastal
areas and work on risk assessments.

Tom is a Research Scientist with Fisheries and Oceans

Canada at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, BC.
He has more than 15 years experience working on aquatic
invasive species issues, including research on impacts
and potential mitigation measures for high risk species;
monitoring and early detection, including molecular methods;
risk assessment for both species and vectors; and advice to
inform management and policy. Some of the tools Tom has
helped develop will have direct applicability in the Arctic,
including a new screening level risk assessment tool.

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Meet The Scientists

Highly Qualified Personnel

Oscar Casas-Monroy

Frdric Chain

Farrah Chan

Oscar is a Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow with Fisheries and

Oceans Canada in Burlington, Ontario. He is a biological
oceanographer with interests in plankton invasive species,
harmful algae, risks and impacts of invasive species via
ballast water and sediments. Presently, he is developing
management strategies to prevent new introductions into
temperate and Arctic aquatic ecosystems.

Freddy is a Postdoctoral researcher at McGill University in

Montral. He uses bioinformatics to address evolutionary and
conservation genomic questions. His work has included the use
of genetic markers (barcoding) and next generation sequencing
to survey zooplankton species from Canadian ports including
the Arctic.

Farrah is a postdoctoral visiting fellow with Fisheries and

Oceans Canada in Burlington, Ontario. She examines
the risk of introducing aquatic invasive species into the
Canadian Arctic by ships ballast water and biofouling. Her
research interests include vectors and pathways of species
introduction, risk assessment, determinants of invasion
success, climate change, and invasions in the Arctic.

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Meet The Scientists

Deanna Ferguson

Jesica Goldsmit

Heather Hawk

Anas Lacoursire-Roussel

Deanna is currently a Masters student at the Great Lakes

Institute for Environmental Research at the University of
Windsor. She is studying early detection methods for aquatic
invasive species, specifically looking at the abilities of the
FlowCAM. Her work looks at detecting potential invaders in
ballast water collected from transport ships travelling to major
ports in Canada including the Arctic.

Jesi is a doctoral candidate at Institut des sciences de la

mer at Universit du Qubec Rimouski (ISMER/Uqar). Her
research focus is in marine invasive species, early detection
and prediction of potential introductions of benthic organisms
in the Arctic. Jesi combines baseline studies with field
work and predictive approaches with species distribution
modelling and risk assessment.

Heather is a doctoral candidate at Universit Laval in Quebec

City. Her research areas include invertebrate zoology, rare
species detection and field survey methods. She is currently
working on optimizing field collection methods for the early
detection of benthic and planktonic invasive species in
Canadas marine and freshwater bodies.

Anas is a postdoctoral researcher working on the

early detection of marine biodiversity shifts in the Arctic
using the eDNA method. She worked at Universit Laval to
develop the eDNA method to improve large-scale fisheries
management and aquatic conservation strategies. Her PhD at
McGill University focused on the role of shipping/boating on
the spread of invasive species in collaboration with Fisheries
and Oceans Canada.

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Great Lakes Institute

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eDNA.

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11

Meet The Scientists

Kevin Ma

Dustin Raab

Rob Young

Kevin is a doctoral candidate at Universit Laval in Qubec.

His current research focuses on determining the optimal
temporal and spatial scales to detect marine invasive benthic
invertebrates. In addition, his experimental studies investigate
settlement patterns of invasive invertebrates in the field with
respect to seasonality, environmental factors, and depth in
the water column.

Dustin is a doctoral candidate at McGill University in

Montral. His research focuses on the relationship between
nonindigenous fish invasions and habitat modification particularly dams and impoundments. Dustin combines
fieldwork and lab experiments to identify the environmental
conditions that enhance or inhibit the impact of invasive fishes,
and predict outcomes of fish invasions in dammed rivers.

Rob is a doctoral candidate at the University of Guelph.

Robs research focuses on using DNA barcoding and other
molecular analysis tools and techniques to explore plankton
diversity in Canadian waters. This work involves exploring
the animal barcode region of plankton groups to further
understand the diversity present in the plankton, the species
distributions across Canadian waters, and evolutionary
implications of this data.

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AGENDA

DAY 1
9.00 Opening of meeting
Welcoming remarks
Introduction of Participants
Review of Workshop Objectives and Agenda
Overview of CAISN network and
Arctic objectives
9.45 Presentation: Introduction to Invasion Ecology and
Transport Vectors
What are invasions and why do they matter?
Current/Future Status of Invasions in the Arctic
Questions & Discussion
10.20

Morning break

10.40 Presentations: Ballast Water Regulations

Current requirements ballast water exchange
Future requirements ballast water treatment
Questions & Discussion
11.00 Group Learning Activity: Ballast Water
Compliance Monitoring
11.30 Presentations: Ship Vector Research
MV ARCTIC Voluntary Exchange Project
Coldwater treatment testing
Ship Biofouling vector
Questions & Discussion
12.30

Lunch break

1.15 Presentations: Research Examining Invasion Risk

DFO Arctic ballast water risk assessment
CAISN II Baseline port surveys
Species Distribution modelling
Questions & Discussion
2.15 Group Learning Activity: Identification of Potential
Aquatic Invaders
2.45

Afternoon Break

3.00 Presentations: Molecular Detection Tools

DNA Barcoding
Next Generation Sequencing
Environmental DNA
Questions & Discussion
4.00 Group Learning Activity: LifeScanner
Outside Demonstration for Sample Collection
(if possible)
5.00

End of Day 1

DAY 2
9.00 Workshop Regrouping
Review of Day 1 milestones and
take-home messages
9.20 Presentations: Potential Monitoring Tools
FlowCAM
Recruitment plates
Questions & Discussion
9:50 Presentation: Future Invasion Research in the
Canadian Arctic
Community-Based Monitoring and Citizen Science
10.10

Morning Break

10.30 Presentation: Future Invasion Research in the

Canadian Arctic
Planned Research (Funded)
10.50

Group Brainstorm Session: Potential Research

11.30 Workshop Wrap-up

Review of workshop outcomes and next steps
Acknowledgements and Goodbyes
12.00

Close of meeting

Agenda

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Presentation

ABSTRACTS

Introduction to Invasion Ecology

and Transport Vectors

Kevin Ma, Dustin Raab

A biological invasion occurs when species are

introduced to an area outside of their natural range,
either by deliberate or accidental movement.
Once a species arrives in a new habitat, if local
conditions are appropriate, it may establish a
population and continue to spread, often causing
harm to native organisms. Organisms that are
not native to a habitat are called nonindigenous
species, while those having negative impact(s)
are called invasive species. Aquatic organisms
may be moved by different transport vectors,
such as live bait used for fishing, the release of
pets in the international aquarium trade, and the
movement of recreational boats and fishing gear.
Ballast water and biofouling of ship hulls have
been dominant vectors to aquatic habitats around
the globe. Many aquatic species have already
invaded a wide array of habitats in Canada.
For example, the Laurentian Great Lakes are one
of the worlds most highly invaded freshwater
systems, with at least 165 nonindigenous bacteria,
algae, plants, invertebrates, and fishes. In the
Canadian Arctic, at least 17 terrestrial (mostly
plants) and one aquatic nonindigenous species
(an alga) are currently established. Recent
research has found live nonindigenous barnacles
attached to ship hulls in Arctic waters, representing
a future risk of aquatic species invading the Arctic.

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Presentation Abstracts

16

Ballast Water Regulations

Sarah Bailey, Kimberly Howland

National, mandatory ballast water regulations

were first established in 2006 under the Canada
Shipping Act. Current regulations require all large
commercial ships arriving to Canadian waters
from international waters to manage their ballast
water, although there are a few exceptions.
A ship can manage its ballast water by exchanging
ballast water at sea. Ballast exchange aims to
remove or reduce fitness of organisms in tanks,
but it is not 100% protective, particularly for
marine ports. While it is recommended that ballast
water exchange be conducted in deep offshore
waters outside Canadian jurisdiction, designated
alternate ballast water exchange zones within
Canadian waters may be used if authorized.
Two zones are designated in the eastern Canadian
Arctic and were evaluated as part of a study on
relative risks of exchange at different locations
in the region. Canada also allows ships to use
treatment systems to reduce ballast water risk
according to discharge standards suggested by
the International Maritime Organization, although
treatment will not be mandatory until an international
convention enters into force. Transport Canada
Inspectors enforce ballast water regulations
based on each ships ballast water reporting
form, record book and management plan, and
by boarding ships to collect samples, however,
inspection effort varies by region.

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17

Presentation Abstracts

MV ARCTIC Voluntary
Exchange Project

MV ARCTIC

Kimberly Howland, Sarah Bailey

Domestic ships navigating between Canadian

ports are currently exempt from ballast water
management regulations. Much of the domestic
ballast released in the Arctic is brought in by
ice-breaking cargo ships able to travel through
most of the year. These ships frequently conduct
voluntary exchange in northern Canadian coastal
waters to reduce the risk of nonindigenous
species (NIS) introductions, however, there
is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of
exchange and how this varies by season.
A 3-year study aimed at better understanding
risks associated with domestic shipping was
recently initiated with the MV ARCTIC, a ship
that regularly transits between Quebec/Montreal
and Deception Bay (Nunavik). Objectives are to:
1) evaluate seasonal variation in plankton
(numbers and types of species) within ballast to
assess seasonal changes in risk for introduction of
NIS via ballast release; 2) experimentally evaluate
efficacy of voluntary exchange by comparing
plankton communities before and after ballast
exchange in tanks exchanged at two different
locations and unmanaged control tanks. Results
from this study will improve our understanding
and management of ballast-mediated species
introductions, guide voluntary ballast management
practices by industry and inform regulatory
decisions by Transport Canada.

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Presentation Abstracts

Coldwater Treatment Testing

Sarah Bailey, Oscar Casas-Monroy

The use of Ballast Water Management Systems

(BWMS) on board ships will soon be required
to meet national and international standards.
Globally, type approval testing of BWMSs is
typically conducted in temperate locations at
summer temperatures when plankton density is
highest, despite the fact that ships operate globally
at all times of the year. Extreme temperatures, such
as those encountered in the Arctic, could impact
treatment efficacy through changes in biological
metabolic rates or chemical reaction rates.
DFO has been conducting lab and shipboard
experiments to examine the magnitude of the
issue, as well as to examine the feasibility of using
exchange in combination with treatment. Canada
is also participating in international working
groups to revise guidelines for approval of BWMS
to reflect the importance of temperature and the
expectation that BWMS will operate effectively on
ships in worldwide operation.

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Presentation Abstracts

Ship Biofouling Vector

Farrah Chan, Oscar Casas-Monroy

Ship biofouling is a major transport vector

of aquatic nonindigenous species in marine
ecosystems globally. Many marine species
attach to external surfaces of ship hulls and can
dislodge and/or reproduce at subsequent ports
but, until recently, there had been no scientific
evaluation of biofouling risk in the Canadian Arctic.
The combination of global warming and resource
exploitation, and the resulting increase in shipping
activities, are expected to increase the risk of
species introductions in the Canadian Arctic
in the near future. Therefore, assessments of
species introduction risk associated with ship
biofouling in the Canadian Arctic are clearly
needed. We conducted underwater surveys of
13 commercials ships at Churchill, MB in the
summer of 2010 and 2011. We found that the
fouled surface area on ships ranged from 0%
to 28%, with niche areas such as the propeller
and sea chest grating tending to be more
heavily fouled. In total, we identified 86 distinct
invertebrate taxa, including 15 nonindigenous
species. Of these 15 species, 10 are expected
to be able to tolerate environmental conditions
in Churchill, if released there. The discovery of
viable, widespread nonindigenous species in our
samples indicates potential risk of ship biofouling
as a transfer mechanism to the Arctic.

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Presentation Abstracts

20

DFO Arctic Ballast Water

Risk Assessment

Farrah Chan, Jesica Goldsmit

To the best of our knowledge, there has been

no
ship-mediated
nonindigenous
species
established in the Canadian Arctic, however, if
shipping activities increase as expected with
a warming climate, opportunities for species
introduction will also increase. The objectives of
the risk assessment were to characterize current
ballast water discharge patterns for different
shipping pathways in the region and to identify
ports at relatively high risk of ballast-mediated
invasions. First, the probability of introduction
was estimated based on ballast water discharge
data and environmental conditions at Arctic and
potential source ports. Second, the magnitude
of consequences of introduction was estimated
based on the number of high impact ballastmediated nonindigenous species recorded in
the ecoregions serving as sources of ballast
water. The probability of introduction and
magnitude of consequences were combined for a
final relative invasion risk rating. Results indicated
that Churchill, MB is at greatest invasion risk
from ballast water discharged by international
merchant ships, followed by Milne Inlet, NU
and Deception Bay, QC. Ports at relatively high
risk from ballast water discharged by coastal
domestic ships include Churchill, Deception Bay,
and Iqaluit, NU. Results of this study have helped
direct recent research efforts to survey biodiversity
at Arctic ports.

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Presentation Abstracts

Baseline Port Surveys

Jesica Goldsmit, Farrah Chan

Following the DFO risk assessment that

identified port locations at highest risk for ballastmediated invasions in the Canadian Arctic,
the top three ports Churchill, MB, Deception
Bay, QC and Iqaluit, NU - were surveyed for
benthic invertebrates. Based on comparisons
of contemporary and historical information on
species composition and distributions, 14.4%
of the taxa identified can be considered new
records within the port regions surveyed and 7.2%
can be considered new records for the adjacent
surrounding regions. Increased search effort is
the most likely explanation for the majority of new
occurrences, however, 3% of taxa identified were
new records for Canada and were categorized
as cryptogenic (they cannot definitively be
described as either native or introduced). Another
eight species considered native to the Canadian
Arctic have been reported as established NIS
or cryptogenic species elsewhere in the world,
suggesting that this area should be considered as
a potential source of NIS to ports in other regions.
This study provides a baseline of biodiversity in
major Canadian Arctic ports that can be used to
more confidently assign the status of new benthic
invertebrates reported in the future.

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Presentation Abstracts

22

Species Distribution Modelling

Jesica Goldsmit, Farrah Chan

Following the DFO risk assessment and the

baseline port surveys, we identified eight invasive
species with higher potential for introduction
to the Canadian Arctic. In order to determine
if these species might survive under current or
future environmental conditions in the north, we
estimated potential spatial distributions for each
species using habitat modelling, where information
on current locations is used to identify required
environmental conditions. We then compare
environmental conditions in new locations to
predict potential survival of a species. The results
indicated that current environmental conditions in
the Hudson Bay and Beaufort Sea regions provide
suitable habitat for the red king crab (Paralithodes
camtschaticus), the soft shell clam (Mya arenaria)
and the periwinkle (Littorina littorea). Future
environmental conditions under climate change
scenarios predict an increase in suitable habitat
for these three species, together with new
suitable habitat for the remaining species: green
crab (Carcinus maenas), the Japanese skeleton
shrimp (Caprella mutica), the bay barnacle
(Amphibalanus improvisus), the coffin box
bryozoan (Membranipora membranacea) and the
orange sheath tunicate (Botrylloides violaceus).
Suitable habitat for all species is expected to shift
northward in the future.

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(Paralithodes
camtschaticus),
(Mya arenaria) periwinkle (Littorina
littorea).


,
: (Carcinus maenas),
(Caprella mutica),
(Amphibalanus improvisus),
coffin box bryozoan (Membranipora
membranacea) violet tunicate
(Botrylloides violaceus).

23

Presentation Abstracts

DNA Barcoding

Rob Young, Frdric Chain

Recent research suggests that our current

knowledge of Canadian biodiversity is severely
underestimated, particularly in northern Canadian
ecosystems. DNA barcoding can be used to help
assess the true number and diversity of species
present in these northern systems. DNA barcoding
is a method that uses a short genetic marker in
an organisms DNA to identify it as belonging to
a particular species. DNA barcodes do this in the
same way a supermarket scanner uses the familiar
black stripes of the UPC barcode to identify your
purchases. The goal of DNA barcoding is to have
a library of life where we can quickly and easily
identify any species on earth by its barcode.
The idea is to barcode all life on earth one by
one to make every species count. This is done
using verified specimens and careful documen
tation of each record that is added to the library.
With a library of all of the barcodes and where
they were found, we can monitor for the
introduction of species from other regions using
advanced surveying methods that utilize next
generation sequencing.

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Presentation Abstracts

Next Generation Sequencing

Frdric Chain, Rob Young

New technologies are enabling researchers to

quickly survey organisms in nature with precision
using molecular techniques. Barcoding efforts
for various species have given us a molecular
taxonomic key that can be used to identify species
from DNA within a community. Next-generation
sequencing can process pools of organisms
and produce billions of DNA sequences in days.
This allows the detection of organisms at low
abundance, such as during the early stages of
species invasions. By targeting specific regions
in the genome (barcodes), this enables the
application of meta-barcoding on bulk samples
to assess biodiversity within communities.
Meta-barcoding is particularly useful for surveying
aquatic species because these communities
are so diverse and include many larval stages
and species that cannot be distinguished by
physical characteristics alone. We will show
results from a meta-barcoding study applied
on zooplankton samples from the Arctic, in
which we identified a variety of organisms at the
species level, including a potential early stage of
invasion. Because most species on Earth have no
barcodes (yet), not all organisms can be assigned
to species level. Morphological identification is
thus still important alongside molecular surveys to
describe communities and verify the presence of
live invasive species.

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Presentation Abstracts

Environmental DNA (eDNA)

DNA (eDNA)

Anas Lacoursire-Roussel,
Deanna Ferguson

The environmental DNA (eDNA) method can

detect traces of DNA from large organisms living
in water, from sources such as feces and skin
cells. eDNA has the power to identify if a species
is present locally by sampling only a few liters
of water, and it can target multiple species in a
single sample. The DNA sequences found in the
water samples are matched with barcoding data
to generate lists of species. Therefore, the eDNA
method greatly benefits from previous traditional
taxonomic identification and barcoding efforts
conducted in the same region. In addition, the
frequency of DNA strands of a specific species
may allow eDNA to provide population abundance
information. eDNA analysis holds promise towards
increasing the speed, accuracy, and resolution of
biodiversity measurements. Using eDNA could
therefore allow rapid sample collection, reduce
the cost associated with data collection and does
not require handling of organisms. The eDNA
method is already highly targeted for integration
into management plans of various government
sectors. Integrating eDNA analysis in monitoring of
coastal Arctic biodiversity could help standardize
biodiversity monitoring and early detection of
introductions of nonindigenous species.

DNA (eDNA)
DNA
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eDNA

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eDNA

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eDNA

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eDNA
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Presentation Abstracts

26

FlowCAM

FlowCAM

Deanna Ferguson,
Anas Lacoursire-Roussel

Early detection of a nonindigenous species in an

aquatic environment is a daunting task particularly
during the introduction stage of an invasion
when population abundance is low and spatial
distribution is very limited, however, this is also the
most important stage for undertaking any response
activities to eradicate the population or to reduce
further spread. Successful early detection requires
tools that are relatively inexpensive and can rapidly
distinguish between native and nonindigenous
species - criteria which are not currently met by
traditional taxonomy since it often requires highly
specialized expertise to analyze small quantities
of samples and can be quite time-consuming.
The FlowCAM is proposed as an early detection
method for aquatic invasive species, as it uses a
combination of flow cytometry, microscopy and
image analysis to rapidly process and analyze
samples. The FlowCAM generates high resolution
images of plankton in a water sample which
can be compared to image reference libraries
of known invasive species to determine if an
invasive species is present in the water sample.
We evaluated the FlowCAM as a screening tool for
ballast water samples collected across Canada,
including the Arctic. This presentation will briefly
present the advantages and disadvantages of this
equipment.

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27

Presentation Abstracts

Recruitment Plates

Heather Hawk, Jesica Goldsmit

Recruitment plates are simple, low cost devices

used to collect biofouling organisms. Small plastic
tiles are suspended underwater at least one meter
deep and away from the sea floor. The plates can
be attached to existing structures such as docks or,
when there is no convenient structure, they can be
attached to buoys anchored at selected locations.
Marine biofouling organisms start life as tiny
drifting plankton, and recruitment plates provide
surface for them to settle and grow. The species
that appear on the plate are therefore dependent
on when, where and how long the plates are in
the water. We typically use recruitment plates in
warm seasons in harbors where invasive species
are most likely to occur. It may take days for the
first animals to arrive, and up to several weeks to
collect species of interest. Plates are then removed
from the water and examined in the laboratory or
preserved. This method has proven extremely
valuable to scientists in lower latitudes, however,
using recruitment plates in the Arctic has unique
challenges due to weather conditions and pack
ice, as well as logistic problems to collect and send
the plates for analysis by experts. Understanding
the benefits and challenges of recruitment plate
methods will help inform decisions about how best
to monitor for potential biofouling invasive species
in Arctic regions.

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Presentation Abstracts

28

Community Based Monitoring and

Citizen Science

Kimberly Howland

An important aspect of early detection of

nonindigenous species (NIS) is the establishment
of a system for regular standardized monitoring.
There is currently no program for monitoring NIS
and changes in biodiversity in the Canadian
Arctic. Given travel costs and logistics of sampling
in this region, the most cost-effective approach to
regular monitoring at higher risk port sites involves
development of user-friendly, standardized
sampling approaches (e.g., plankton net,
water sample collection for eDNA) and training/
engagement at the community level. Early detection
efforts may be further strengthened through
citizen-science, which is an ideal complement
to standardized monitoring. Local citizens tend
to be on the land/water on a more regular basis
so are more likely to observe new organisms, or
environmental changes. This presentation will
provide examples of NIS in other regions that have
been first detected by citizens and introduce tools
for reporting local observations.

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29

Presentation Abstracts

Planned Research (Funded)

Kimberly Howland
Research efforts over the next 3 years will be
aimed at developing a basis for a standardized
monitoring and early detection program in the
Canadian Arctic. The following objectives are
designed to extend current research efforts by
DFO and CAISN and are funded largely through
Polar Knowledge Canada, ArcticNet and Nunavut
Wildlife Management Board: 1) Identification and
ranking of key ship-mediated aquatic invasive
species for early detection and monitoring, and
geographic locations with highest probability
for establishment; 2) Development of genetic
early detection methods (e.g., eDNA) for aquatic
invasive species in high risk ports; 3) Establishment of a community based monitoring network/
capacity. The initial research and training conducted by this study will provide the foundation
for establishing an ongoing monitoring program
in the Canadian Arctic that should ideally include:
1) research to continually improve monitoring
approaches and update invasive species databases; 2) field surveys of existing native taxa,
nonindigenous species, and environmental conditions through a combination of low intensity and
regularly scheduled community-based efforts
and episodic high intensity scientific efforts in key
areas; and 3) ongoing eDNA monitoring for high
risk invasive species.

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CAISN
Polar Knowledge Canada, ArcticNet
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1)



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GROUP BRAINSTORM

SESSION

In recent years, we have learned a lot about the risk

of ship-mediated invasions in the Canadian Arctic.
We have documented shipping routes and ballast
discharge patterns by both foreign and domestic
cargo ships. We have been sampling ballast water
discharged at Churchill and Deception Bay and
examining the efficacy of ballast water treatment
systems destined for use in Arctic waters. We
have examined biological fouling on the hulls of
commercial ships arriving to Churchill and navy
ships during Operation NANOOK. We have
conducted surveys to document biodiversity in
major ports and used models to predict potential
aquatic invasive species. These projects have
created an essential knowledge baseline that
has already informed environmental assessments
related to new development in the north. Despite
the immense knowledge gained, all of these
projects have been limited by small sample size
and seasonal constraints. In addition, factors
influencing risk are constantly changing. It will be
important to update and expand on these initial
efforts. During this group brainstorming session,
workshop participants will be asked to provide
input regarding directions for future research
and monitoring of aquatic invasive species in the
Canadian Arctic. This feedback will be essential
as we plan new research activities and seek out
new funding sources.

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Workshop

ACTIVITIES

Ballast Water Compliance

Monitoring

Oscar Casas-Monroy, Kevin Ma, Dustin Raab

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The unintentional release of aquatic nonindigenous species (NIS) via ballast water has long
been recognized as a primary vector of biological
invasions. Accurate monitoring for these often
microscopic and morphologically indistinguishable
species is challenging but critical for preventing
introductions. Several agencies and governments
are transitioning towards regulatory frameworks
that mandate maximum permissible levels of
viable organisms when releasing ballast water;
therefore rapid tools and protocols to determine
ballast water compliance are needed. This activity
will introduce the use of the Pulse Amplitude
Modulation (PAM) fluorometer which measures
active chlorophyll to provide an indication of the
number of live plant cells in a water sample. This
method could become a routine activity in northern
ports as shipping activity increases. Workshop
participants will have the opportunity to test water
samples for compliance with current and future
ballast water regulations.

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Workshop Activities

32

Identification of Potential
Aquatic Invaders

Deanna Ferguson, Jesica Goldsmit, Heather

Hawk, Anas Lacoursire-Roussel

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The Arctic regions of Canada are becoming

increasingly vulnerable to invasive species due
to increased shipping traffic and human activities.
This has increased pressure on management
to monitor Arctic habitats and major shipping
areas. The introduction of an invasive species can
have detrimental effects on an ecosystem, thus,
detecting the species early when abundances are
low and distribution is limited, is ideal. Based on
results of biological sampling of ballast water and
hulls of ships in the Arctic, and species distribution
modelling, we have identified 13 species of
concern with potential for establishment in the
Canadian Arctic. During this activity we aim to
teach participants how to identify these species
using key features and preferred habitats, and
what actions to take if something new is observed.
Workshop participants will get hands-on practice
and individual instruction to support their learning,
and will receive identification booklets to keep for
future use.

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33

Workshop Activities

LifeScanner Activity

LifeScanner

Fred Chain, Rob Young

We live in a biologically diverse world that we do

not always recognize, but it is still there, affecting
our lives and impacted by our actions. LifeScanner
is a program designed to help people discover
the diversity of living organisms around them and
to help them contribute to a global knowledgebase on biological diversity. Use LifeScanner to
learn about the species you encounter - from the
food you eat to the bugs in your garden. Become
a citizen scientist!

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LifeScanner

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By providing access to scientific records in

an easy-to-use platform, LifeScanner allows
non-scientists to browse and access species
information to educate or help make informed
decisions. While enjoying the backyard, hiking on
a trail, or a day at the beach, users can look up the
species found in their region and in other parts of
the world.
During this activity we will explain and demonstrate
the use of the Life Scanner Kits. Workshop
participants will receive a Life Scanner Kit for
future use.
Additional information available at
http://lifescanner.net.

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LifeScanner
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Scanner .

http://lifescanner.net.