Influence of Suspended Mussel Aquaculture and an Associated Invasive Ascidian on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities

Many benthic macroinvertebrates are associated with cultured bivalves but normally excluded from studies on the environmental effects of bivalve aquacultures. We evaluated hypothesis that mussel aquaculture increases overall “benthic” macroinvertebrate productivity by considering both sediment- and sock-associated macroinvertebrates. It was predicted presence invasive ascidian Styela clava would increase this effect increasing sock’s biogenic structure. Macroinvertebrates in sediments socks were sampled eight bays Prince Edward Island, Canada: three invaded there five where it absent. Infaunal (sediment macroinvertebrates) within leases less abundant relative to control locations outside showed a trend towards decreased biomass productivity. Abundance greater S. than without it. When sediment sock considered together as communities compared leases, abundance, biomass, inside areas them. The did not influence trend. Although ecological role suspended mussels is likely equivalent those sediments, mussels, some measure, offsets impacts at farm-scale.