Pere Marquette River electrical barrier and fish bypass system. - FWS photo

Staff from the Ludington and Marquette Biological Stations, together with cooperators from the U.S. Geological Survey and Michigan State University, presented information regarding sea lamprey management in the Great Lakes, at a symposium organized and hosted by the Pere Marquette Watershed Council (PMWC). 

The primary objective of the symposium was to provide interested parties with a sound educational background regarding sea lamprey management in the Pere Marquette River, Michigan. 

Service staff provided an overview of the sea lamprey management program, a detailed description of management actions being implemented in the Pere Marquette River, the rationale used for implementing specific management actions, and the recommendations for continued management that will be presented to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. 

Other participants included representatives from the U.S. Geological Survey, who discussed the environmental fate and effects of lampricides; Michigan State University, who discussed the potential use of pheromones as an alternative method of managing sea lampreys; Michigan Department of Natural Resources, who discussed in-stream steelhead movements; and the Michigan River Guides Association, who discussed the impacts of management actions on recreational use. 

The symposium was held at West Shore Community College near the Ludington Biological Station.

The Service has been operating an electrical barrier to prevent the upstream migration of spawning phase sea lampreys in the Pere Marquette River since 2000. Although the barrier has reduced larval sea lamprey abundance by an estimated 94%, it has not eliminated the need for lampricide applications. 

Use of the barrier and lampricides, and public perception that the barrier has negative impacts on the steelhead fishery, have created concern among the PMWC and other user groups.  The symposium provided an excellent forum to educate user groups about ongoing management activities and the rationale used to support difficult and often controversial decisions.

The sea lamprey management program helps to protect sport and commercial fisheries in the Great Lakes valued at more than $4 billion.