Why a Great Lakes Fishery Commission and Why a Sea Lamprey International Symposium

Abstract

Efforts to establish international fishery commissions and/or effective, complementary regulations and management programs for Great Lakes fisheries failed repeatedly from 1893 to 1952. By 1946 the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), a parasitic predator native to the Atlantic Ocean, was established in the upper Great Lakes and recognized as an impending international catastrophe for the fisheries. This threat provided an added incentive to recast and complete earlier negotiations, and the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries was entered into force in 1955. The Convention established the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to develop and coordinate fishery research programs, to advise governments on measures to improve the fisheries, and to develop measures and implement programs to control sea lamprey. Sea lamprey populations are currently at levels in all of the Great Lakes to allow acceptable survival and growth of desirable fish species. The commercial and recreational fisheries have revived to the point that their 1979 total economic impact is estimated at $1.16 billion. In 23 yr of operation the Commission has spent $54.5 million for sea lamprey control and research and feels a strong obligation to continue seeking more efficient and cost-effective management techniques. To produce a synthesis of opinion and recommendations for consideration in its future plans the Commission sponsored the Sea Lamprey International Symposium.Key words: sea lamprey, Great Lakes, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Sea Lamprey International Symposium, international agreements, international organizations