Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Fishery Commission Studies Sea Lamprey Trapping

May 30: The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) will once again commence a major initiative this week to study ways to considerably enhance sea lamprey trapping on the St. Marys River.  The initiative was conceived collaboratively by GLFC and the International Joint Commission's International Upper Great Lakes Study and first implemented in 2011. Trapping sea lamprey -- a non-native fish predator that has caused major ecologic and economic harm to the Great Lakes -- before they spawn and contribute to the next generation is a major element of the sea lamprey control program. 
 
    The enhanced trapping study -- conducted in partnership with Brookfield Renewable Power in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario -- will involve a change in the timing and volume of water provided to the company for electricity generation. Conditions on the St. Marys River rapids may appear atypical to anglers and other users due to re-distribution of water through the compensating gates. The International Joint Commission and its Lake Superior Board of Control, which has authority over water flow levels, facilitated the conditions for this initiative. The St. Marys River is considered to be the major single source of sea lampreys into Lake Huron. This work is funded in part through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).
 
    Access a release with more details from GLFC (click here). Access the GLFC website for more information (click here).
 
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Agencies Launch GLATOS Website To Track Fish Movements

May 30: The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) and Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) announced the launch of GLATOS -- Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System -- an interactive website to monitor fish movement. According to an announcement, GLATOSWeb compiles acoustic telemetry project information and helps users learn more about ongoing acoustic telemetry projects in the Great Lakes. Scientists have been implanting Great Lakes fish with transmitters and, like the GPS on a car, have been tracking fish movement through a network of receivers placed on the bottom of the lakes. The purpose of GLATOS is to help scientists and the public learn more about Great Lakes acoustic telemetry projects and their contribution to research.
 
    GLATOS aims to: 1. Build a network of researchers conducting acoustic telemetry studies within the Great Lakes Basin; 2. Foster the development of partnerships and cooperative project planning through GLATOSWeb; and, 3. Extend the effective range of individual studies by providing a mechanism to share detection data among projects.
 
    Access the GLATOS website for interactive tracking and more information (click here). Access the GLFC website for more information (click here). Access additional information from GLOS (click here).
 
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