DV-19-18: New pathogen discovery in wild blue mussels from the Gulf of Maine

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

February 14, 2020

Dr. Mikhail Zuykov
Laurentian University

In August 2019, a pathogenic green algae, Coccomyxa spp. was found in mytilid mussels, Mytilus spp. in Jonesport, Maine and the surrounding area. Previous reports have documented the algae in Canadian coastal provinces and European waters, but this may be the first record of it in the Gulf of Maine. Since this pathogen is tolerant to changes in salinity and light, it can grow at a faster rate in the Gulf of Maine than in other areas, making this discovery a cause for concern.

This study aims to identify the taxonomic characteristics of the algae and mytilid mussels, and determine the distribution of infected mussels along the coast of Jonesport city, Beals, Great Wass Islands, and in the North Atlantic coastal waters. The principal investigators will inform the research community, local population, and the shellfish industry about this pathogen via lectures and publications.

Sea Grant Funds: $1,500