Fishery Biologist Anjanette Bowen is talking about AIS species to some local youth. Photo credit: Scott Koproski

On September 22 and 23 staff from the Alpena National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (NFWCO) participated in the Lake Huron Water Quality Exploration workshop sponsored by Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension).  Fishery Biologists Scott Koproski, Anjanette Bowen, and Andrea Ania represented the Alpena NFWCO at the workshop.  The event was hosted by NOAA at the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary, and workshop partners included NOAA, Michigan DNR, Michigan Sea Grant, MSU Extension, Discovery World, and AmeriCorp (Huron Pines and Headwaters Land Conservancy).  Each partner was asked to demonstrate how their agency/organization promoted healthy ecosystems.

                   
Staff from Alpena NFWCO presented information related to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in the Great Lakes and the effects they are having on native fish populations.  An overview of all documented AIS species was provided, and transport methods were also discussed.  Students were most familiar with AIS species like round gobies, Eurasian ruffe, zebra mussels, and sea lamprey.  Additionally, Alpena NFWCO staff provided simple but effective techniques that students could use to prevent the unintentional spread of AIS species.  For example, staff explained how important it is for recreational fishermen to not release unused minnows (i.e. bait bucket transfers) and how proper vessel cleaning can prevent the spread of AIS species from one watershed to another. 

Over the course of two days, 200 students and faculty members from three school districts in northeast Michigan participated in the workshop and were reached by staff from the Alpena NFWCO.