The International Mussel Watch 



country scientists with whom we will collaborate in the individual regions. The global coverage 

 (ca. 325 stations), together with other areas covered by current monitoring programs (e.g., 

 O'Connor and Ehler, 1991) would be within the scope of the proposed global effort. This master 

 list was used as a basis for discussion at the organizational meeting for the first implementation 

 phase (San Jose, Costa Rica, May 1991). Sampling sites and indigenous species to be collected 

 were further refined (Appendix B-2) with added local knowledge supplied by participants in 

 regional monitoring programs. Final selection of sample sites and species collected will be 

 determined in-country by the Field Scientist and his in-country hosts. 



Preparation of Manuals 



Considerable attention has been given to the production of manuals for both chemical 

 analysis for organochlorine pesticides and chlorobiphenyls and biological and ancillary parameter 

 recording and sampling procedures. These manuals are appended in this document and are 

 provided to guide the participating national laboratories in their sampling and analyses. These 

 appendices could be updated at the end of the program to draw on experiences gained and will 

 form the experiential base for updating United Nations manuals. They will be highly appropriate 

 for national laboratories as they develop a monitoring strategy and will supplement reports 

 published by national and international agencies. 



Sampling, Preservation and Shipment Strategy 



Unlike national mussel watch programs, an international venture poses some unique 

 problems. First of all, contact with scientists for sampling and analyses requires initial approval of 

 sovereign nations. We propose to utilize, where possible, members of the existing frameworks of 

 the United Nations Environment Program and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. 

 Through a variety of mechanisms, including all of the meetings referred to above, a list of 

 researchers who might be willing to participate in the International Mussel Watch Program has 

 been assembled. To initiate the first phase, the IOC Secretariat contacted the official heads of 

 agencies and international organizations in the region, while the Project Secretariat in Woods Hole 

 was simultaneously contacting research scientists directly (Appendix E). This "double-ended" 

 strategy seems to have worked well to disseminate IMW information. Following a contact by the 

 Project Secretariat to introduce the Program and to explain Program needs, the Host-Country 

 scientists who confirmed their interest in participation were contacted by the Field Scientist. The 

 Field Scientist works closely with the Host-Country scientists on field trip logistics and sampling. 



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