Optimize pheromone application rate to yield large and consistent catches of adult sea lamprey

Grant: # 1645

Grant Amount: $164,076.00

Board Decision Year: 2016

USGS - Great Lakes Science Center, Hammond Bay Biological Station (Millersburg)

Great Lakes Science Center, Hammond Bay Biological Station

Johnson, Nicholas ([email protected]) 989-734-4768 x 128

2016 Ecosystem Health and Sustainable Fish Populations Social, Economic, and Technology (SET) Research to Inform Policy and Practice - Social, economic, and technology research to inform policy and practice

Project Details

Researchers studied the optimal application rates of a synthesized sea lamprey pheromone, 3kPZS, to yield large and consistent catches of invasive sea lamprey. The study took place over two years and across six diverse streams and trapping contexts. The study shows that the pheromone application is most effective on streams with a width greater than 30 meters, leading to a capture of 10–20 percent more adult sea lamprey. A high dose of 3kPZS on narrow streams under 15 meters generally reduced the probabilities of upstream movement and trap encounter. Overall, 3kPZS application is weak in driving upstream movement and trap captures when compared to other factors, such as water temperature, stream width, and sea lamprey length and sex.

This research demonstrates that pheromones can be used as another management tool for sea lamprey control. However, use of pheromones should not replace lampricide and barrier usage. These findings will benefit other aquatic ecologists testing pheromones to control other invasive species, such as invasive carp, as well as restoration efforts for species such as lake sturgeon and American eel.

Documents

Final Report

View - 2016.1645_final_report.docx