Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Control — Where to From Here? Report of the SLIS Control Theory Task Force
Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) control with selective toxicants has reduced sea lamprey abundance in the Great Lakes to levels which permit survival of desirable fish species, but development of alternate and supplemental control methods is essential since chemicals cannot be used indefinitely. The Task Force addressed hypotheses which relate to regulation of sea lamprey numbers during different life history stages and why sea lampreys appear to affect fish stocks differently in various bodies of water. Examination of the information about the various factors that control sea lamprey abundance, both natural and man-made, permitted the Task Force to develop several hypotheses and to indicate areas where additional emphasis or research could produce new or supplementary control methods. Efforts to develop an integrated program of sea lamprey control should be accelerated by development of present promising areas as well as expansion in new directions. Sea lampreys when compared with teleosts exhibit many features of a prototype vertebrate and some unique specializations. Physiological, biochemical, or behavioral differences between lampreys and teleosts may be exploitable for developing control techniques specific to sea lampreys.Key words: sea lamprey, Great Lakes, population control, barrier dams, integrated pest management, buffer species, physiology, teleosts