Support to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission for Sea Lamprey Control in the Great Lakes Basin

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission has one of the premier programs for integrated management of an aquatic invasive species. The Commission program is continually looking for ways to improve the control program.

The technical assistance program of the UMESC conducts research that provides the basis for making improvements to the chemical control program through development of improved chemical formulations and treatment methods. The UMESC also provides assistance in regulatory affairs with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada.

TFM and niclosamide were determined to be eligible for reregistration in1997, and the registration was completed in 2003. One improved and one new formulation of bayluscide have been developed. A treatment model that focuses on the pH and alkalinity characteristics of the treated body of water was developed which resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of lampricides required to conduct treatments. Non-target species risk assessments on 10 species that could be potentially exposed to sea lamprey control chemicals. A treatment model for treating streams and rivers containing lake sturgeon, which are sensitive to TFM, was developed.

We will continue efforts to refine chemical formulations and treatment models to improve the efficiency of the control program. We will also assist the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in their efforts to develop sea lamprey pheromones as an alternative control method.

	Contact: Terrance D. Hubert, PhD Chemist/Invasive Species Team Leader U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center 2630 Fanta Reed Road La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603 Ph. 608.781.6227 Fax 608.783.6066 Email: thubert@usgs.gov Website: http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/invasive_species/sea_lamprey.html#study