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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32 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals