Inside science's 'forbidden experiment': Why scientists kill 9 million sea lampreys every year in the Great Lakes of America

Inside science's 'forbidden experiment': Why scientists kill 9 million sea lampreys every year in the Great Lakes of America

Invasive sea lampreys, or vampire fish, pose a serious threat to the native fish communities of the Great Lakes. These destructive predators made their way in through canals and now voraciously consume vast amounts of fish annually. Since 1957, the application of TFM has been a cornerstone in eradicating lamprey larvae. However, interruptions in management efforts have caused significant rebounds in lamprey numbers.

Sea lamprey control efforts come to Manitoulin area at Blue Jay Creek

CANADA—The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Sea Lamprey Control Centre has launched its 2026 field season to manage invasive sea lamprey in the Great Lakes. This critical work helps native fish populations and supports the overall health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. The work will include Manitoulin locations.Sea Lamprey are an aquatic invasive species that attach to and feed on most fish. They pose a serious threat to fish popula…