Sea Lamprey International Symposium (SLIS II): Advances in the Integrated Management of Sea Lamprey in the Great Lakes

Abstract

This paper provides a brief history of sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus) control in the Great Lakes and introduces the second Sea Lamprey International Symposium (SLIS II). SLIS II was held during August 2000 to synthesize advances in sea lamprey management during the two decades since the first Sea Lamprey International Symposium (SLIS I) in 1979. SLIS I was convened by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (the commission) to reflect on the effects of the first 20 years of sea lamprey control. Recommendations from SLIS I guided advances in the sea lamprey control program that are reported in this volume, including: improvements in chemical control methods; refinements in monitoring of the effectiveness of alternative methods; evaluations of changes in stream production; the search for natural controls; improvements in the understanding of sea lamprey population regulation; better estimation of alternative sources of sea lamprey; and improved understanding of the damage caused by sea lampreys. The most significant development emerging from SLIS I was the policy of Integrated Management of Sea Lamprey (IMSL) that was ultimately adopted by the commission in its Strategic Vision. IMSL was organized around the concepts of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) including: defining targets for control that optimize benefits; application of alternative techniques; and use of quantitative methods and systems approaches. Decision support tools have been developed to aid tactical control planning and to estimate strategic targets for sea lamprey management. The science reported in this volume points the way toward further improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of sea lamprey management in the Great Lakes.