Role of Physical Barriers in the Control of Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

Abstract

Mechanical and electromechanical barriers played a significant role in the initial attempts to control sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) populations in the upper Great Lakes. More recently electromechanical weirs have been used to assess the relative abundance of spawning-run sea lampreys in Lake Superior. Development of an integrated control approach to sea lamprey control has stimulated an ongoing research program to define structural and/or velocity criteria that can be used to design barrier dams that block spawning runs of sea lamprey.Key words: sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus; physical barriers, burst swimming speed, barrier dam criteria