Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) Die-Off

Observation by Allison Topkok:

We were boating for Culture Camp and heard something hitting the boat. When we looked over the side of the boat, we saw clumps of mussels floating up the whole Tuksuk channel. We pulled the boat up to where the salmon net was that we were going to check, and saw the mussels were all over the net and the beach. There was still meat in them when we opened them up. No one has ever heard of something like this before. Submitted by Allison Topkok with assistance from LEO Member Erica Lujan

Gay Sheffield with the Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program writes:

I was in contact with Mary's Igloo Traditional Council office earlier today. They will be returning and getting samples of the water and the dead mussels and sending them ASAP to Nome for immediate analyses. Thank you for sharing - and thank you to Allison Topkok for documenting this unsettling event with her good photos! In talking with algal specialists today as well, it seems this event (may) have more to do with the warm fresh water coming out of Imaruk Basin than a toxic algae but getting the water and dead mussel samples will help get clues as to the cause of this mystery. (6-20-19)

Comments from LEO Editors:

This post has been shared with State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Health and Social Services, Department of Fish and Game, Norton Sound Health Corporation, Kawerak, USFWS and NMFS.*