Funding to research new ways to control sea lampreys, the Great Lakes’ invasive vacuum cleaners, is at risk. The development has caused concern among locals and observers.
What happened?
Wisconsin Public Radio reports how threatened funding and potentially newfound resilience are leading to a comeback for the prolific fish killer. The invasive lamprey uses its powerful sucker mouth to attach to fish using its 100 serrated teeth before brutally killing them at a rate of six out of seven.
“They’re kind of like something out of a horror movie,” reporter Katie Thornton told WPR. While the lamprey protects humans from its wrath, its presence could devastate native fish such as lake trout and whitefish.
That’s what happened between 1944 and 1954, when commercial trout production in Lake Michigan dropped by a remarkable 98 percent. In response, the government established the nonprofit Great Lakes Fisheries Commission in the 1950s.
The group discovered a chemical that specifically targeted lampreys, leading to a resurgence of native fish populations. From then on, it was smooth sailing until the COVID-19 pandemic and recent Department of Government Efficiency cuts impacted treatment.
While funding and staffing have been restored, there are worrying signs that lampreys may be developing immunity to pesticides. The alarm has been heightened by a Trump administration proposal to cut funding by 79% for the Great Lakes Science Center, a key player in research into alternative treatments.
Why are potential cuts to lamprey research important?
If left untreated, invasive lampreys are a complete threat. During the coronavirus pandemic, Thornton revealed that one lake exploded and the lamprey population increased tenfold in just one year. For many Midwesterners, fish are both food and livelihood, which spelled doom for the fish.
While effective pesticides and treatments have eliminated this threat for some time, resting on our laurels is a dangerous proposition. Intruders are deadly and can make an impact with surprising speed. Being caught off guard would be devastating to local fish populations.
Thornton revealed that the process of identifying the chemicals that control lampreys took more than five years and 5,000 attempts, illustrating the dangers of waiting.
What is being done about possible cuts to lamprey research?
Thornton told WPR that there is broad support for retaining research funding even in areas of Michigan that generally support Trump. Locals remember the havoc the lampreys wreaked on fish populations and are in no hurry to take the plunge.
While funding remains balanced, scientists are looking for alternative ways to control invasive species.
These involve a lot of cutting-edge technology, such as electric dams that transmit electricity to keep the lampreys out. Artificial intelligence is another option for detecting fish and preventing them from entering unwanted waters.
Another method involves using the scent of dead lampreys to control their movements. Another attempt involves introducing sterile males into the population.
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