A wave of recently introduced invertebrates is disrupting Great Lakes food webs and threatening fisheries.  Four invertebrates, because of their quick and widespread proliferation, are of special concern: two species of dreissenids--zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (D. bugensis)--and two predatory cladocerans--Bythotrephes longimanus (formerly B. cederstroemi) and Cercopagis pengoi. 

Because of the seriousness of the threat to fisheries, the seven Sea Grant Programs in the Great Lakes, Great Lakes Fishery Trust, and Great Lakes Fishery Commission in 2001 formed a partnership to focus research on this problem. The goal of the partnership is to support studies that will enable fishery managers to minimize the impacts of altered food webs on their fisheries. Functional aspects of food-webs that have wide applicability across the lakes are a priority for funding.  The partners have given the tasks of identifying research needs and reporting on overall scientific progress to the Commission's Board of Technical Experts.  Information on the partners, a rationale for this effort, and related documents are provided at this site.