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Sea Lampreys Research Paper

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THE GREAT LAKES
The great lakes are comprised of 5 different fresh water lakes, Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Erie. The lakes are situated along the US-Canadian border, touching Ontario in Canada and Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio Pennsylvania, Indiana and New York in the United States. Roughly 34 million people in Canada and the United States live in the great lakes basin, and also 35 000 plants and animals, over 170 of those being fish, inhabit the great lakes (Zimmermann). This significantly large water body holds an estimate of 6 quadrillion gallons of water. Apart from its large mass, the great lakes is an important recreational and economic resource to the United States and Canada. According to Environment …show more content…

Originally found in the Atlantic Ocean, the sea lampreys where first discovered in Lake Michigan in 1936. The sea lampreys can be described as jawless parasites with mouths similar to suction disks. They also have very sharp teeth which they us to attach themselves to fish in the water, allowing them to feed on their blood and body fluid for various hours or even weeks. This usually causes visible injures to the bigger fishes and kill smaller fishes. These sea lampreys contribute to the decline in the population of white fish in the great lakes. Their activities also disrupt the work of fish farmers by destroying large number or …show more content…

It is important to establish preventive measures because once present invasive species are hard to eliminate and also cost a lot of money. An example is law passed by Canada and the United States in 2006 which requires ships to treat and flush its ballast water before discharge, this aid in the control of zebra mussel. Electric barriers are also being used in Romeoville, Illinoi to control Asian carp and restrict them from swimming to Lake Michigan. In Ontario the possession and sale of several invasive fish is prohibited. Educating people about the impacts of these invasive species can also lead to enlightenment and boost control. Pesticides such as lampricides and chemicals are being used to target invasive species such as purple loosestrife and sea lamprey. Since prevention is not always guaranteed, these lakes should be closely monitored for invasive species and in a case where it occurs rapid eradication should be practiced to prevent their growth and save further

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