Sea lamprey being placed into a robotics device that administers a chemosterilant at the Sea Lamprey Sterilization Facility in Millersburg Michigan. - FWS photo

 A study of the potential of sterilized females to reduce reproduction in sea lampreys was begun this spring.  The study is funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and is being carried out by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marquette Biological Station, and the USGS Hammond Bay Biological Station. 

Over 4,000 females were sterilized by Service staff and placed into the Trout River in Rogers City, MI.  The females were sterilized in the same manner as male lampreys.   A sterile-male-release technique has been underway since 1991 and is contributing to control of sea lampreys in Northern Lake Huron.  

A sterile-female technique could offer additional cost effective control since the females are available and can be processed in the same facility as the males. 

Observations of mating behavior and samples of eggs from nests were taken.  The study will continue for 4 years before a determination is made on their potential to contribute to the ongoing control program.