Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference 2018

AUTHORS. Daniel Zielinski, Great Lakes Fishery Commission; Rob McLaughlin, University of Guelph; Ted Castro-Santos, U.S. Geological Survey; Bhuwani Paudel, Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Pete Hrodey, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

ABSTRACT. Currently, application of lampricides and installation of low-head barriers are the only proven means of sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes. While sea lamprey cannot climb or jump over low-head barriers, many desirable migratory species also cannot traverse the barrier and are unintentionally blocked. Recently, there has been a push to reduce reliance on chemical controls as well as increase stream connectivity and flood conveyance.  In response, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) continues to seek alternative methods of control.  Great Lakes basin resource managers often request consideration of alternatives to both lampricide use and low-head barriers. Seasonal operation and alternative barrier designs (e.g., velocity barriers, electrical barriers) that incorporate additional features such as selective fish passage or flood conveyance are among the most commonly requested options. To date, alternative barrier technologies have been intermittently successful in the GLFC’s Sea Lamprey Control Program, yet continue to be proposed as alternatives to conventional low-head barriers.  We completed an exhaustive review on the current state of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of current and alternative barrier technologies and their historical use in the sea lamprey control program.  This information could help inform decisions about dam removals and structure design throughout the Great Lakes basin.