Sea Lampreys: A Persistent Threat to the Great Lakes Ecosystem

by Rosa February 14, 2021

written by Rosa February 14, 2021

Sea Lampreys: A Persistent Threat to the Great Lakes

Invasive Bloodsuckers

Sea lampreys, parasitic fish native to the Atlantic Ocean, have become a major threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem. They were first introduced to the lakes in the 1800s through shipping canals and have since spread throughout the entire system.

Destructive Impacts

Sea lampreys attach to fish using their suction cup mouths and rasp away at their flesh with their sharp tongues, feeding on their blood and body fluids. A single sea lamprey can kill up to 40 pounds of fish per year. Their voracious feeding habits have devastated fish populations in the Great Lakes, particularly trout and whitefish.

Population Control Challenges

Since 1958, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission has implemented a dedicated control program to combat the sea lamprey population. Lampricide, a pesticide specifically designed to target sea lamprey larvae, has been used along with traps and barriers to reduce their numbers. These efforts have successfully reduced the sea lamprey population by 90-95% in the Great Lakes basin.

Covid-19 Disruption

Travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic hindered the application of lampricide and other control measures, leading to a resurgence in the sea lamprey population. This increase became evident in 2022 due to the two-year lag in the animals’ spawning cycle.

Ongoing Control Efforts

Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission has resumed its aggressive control program in 2022 and 2023. They are hopeful that the recent population spike was a temporary blip and that the control measures will continue to keep the sea lamprey population in check.

Ecological Role in Native Range

In their native Atlantic Ocean habitat, sea lampreys play a beneficial role as keystone species and ecosystem engineers. They support both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems by providing food for other creatures and creating spawning habitats for fish. Their larvae also help maintain water quality.

Evolutionary Resilience

Sea lampreys have existed on Earth for over 340 million years and have survived four major extinction events. They have remained largely unchanged since they evolved, demonstrating their remarkable evolutionary resilience.

Historical Spread in the Great Lakes

Sea lampreys were first documented in the Great Lakes in 1835 in Lake Ontario. Niagara Falls initially served as a natural barrier to their spread, but improvements to the Welland Canal in 1938 allowed them to bypass the falls and invade the entire system. By the 1960s, sea lampreys had devastated the upper Great Lakes’ trout fishery, reducing the take of lake trout from 15 million pounds to just half a million pounds.

Economic Impacts

The decline in fish populations due to sea lampreys has had a significant economic impact on the Great Lakes fishing industry. The rebuilding of the fishery through control efforts has led to a resurgence in the fishing economy, benefiting both commercial and recreational fishers.

Continuing Vigilance

While the Great Lakes Fishery Commission has made significant progress in controlling the sea lamprey population, continued vigilance is necessary to prevent future outbreaks. The commission is committed to monitoring the population and implementing adaptive control measures as needed to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem and its valuable fisheries.

Rosa

Rosa is a distinguished software engineer whose passion for science and technology was kindled in her early childhood. Growing up in a household where academic curiosity was nurtured, Rosa was deeply influenced by her father, a dedicated physics professor. After long days at the university, her father would come home and engage Rosa in a world of scientific exploration, guiding her through various experiments and fostering a profound love for the intricacies of the physical world. From a young age, Rosa was captivated by the endless possibilities that science presented. She spent countless hours conducting experiments and learning the fundamental principles of physics. This early exposure to scientific inquiry not only honed her analytical skills but also instilled in her a relentless curiosity and a passion for problem-solving. Rosa's academic journey led her to pursue a degree in Computer Science, where she excelled in her studies, driven by the same enthusiasm that had characterized her childhood experiments. She graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor's degree from a prestigious university. Her academic achievements were marked by numerous accolades and scholarships, reflecting her dedication and exceptional talent in the field. In her professional career, Rosa has made significant contributions to the tech industry. She has worked for several leading technology companies, where she has been instrumental in developing innovative software solutions that have had a substantial impact on various sectors. Her expertise lies in designing and implementing complex algorithms, optimizing system performance, and ensuring the reliability and scalability of software applications. Beyond her technical prowess, Rosa is a strong advocate for women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). She actively participates in mentorship programs, guiding young women who aspire to pursue careers in technology. Rosa believes in the power of education and the importance of providing equal opportunities for all, and she dedicates her time to speaking at conferences and workshops to inspire the next generation of female engineers. In her personal life, Rosa continues to embrace her scientific roots. She enjoys spending her free time experimenting with new technologies, reading scientific journals, and engaging in discussions about the future of technology. Rosa's journey from a curious child conducting experiments to a successful software engineer is a testament to the power of early exposure to science and the enduring influence of a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.