SEA LAMPREY CONTROL TO BE CONDUCTED ON CONNEAUT CREEK IN ERIE COUNTY

HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 17) - The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is alerting anglers and boaters that between April 23 - May 2, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will apply lampricides to portions of Conneaut Creek in Erie County to kill sea lamprey larvae. Application dates are tentative and may be changed based on weather or stream conditions.​

According to the USFWS, sea lamprey larvae live in certain Great Lakes tributaries and transform to parasitic juveniles that migrate to the Great Lakes and kill fish. Failure to kill sea lamprey larvae in streams would result in significant damage to the Great Lakes fishery. Infested tributaries must be treated every three to five years with lampricides to control sea lamprey populations.

Extensive preparations are required for a safe and effective stream treatment. Prior to treatment, trained personnel collect data on stream water chemistry and discharge. In addition, they may conduct on-site toxicity tests and stream flow studies with dyes that cause stream water to appear red or green.

Lampricides are carefully metered into the stream for approximately 12 hours, and continually analyzed at predetermined sites to ensure proper concentrations are maintained as the lampricides are carried downstream. Applicators are trained and are certified by regulatory agencies for aquatic applications of pesticides.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency have reviewed human health and environmental safety data for lampricides and in 2003 concluded that the lampricides (Lampricid and Bayluscide) pose no unreasonable risk to the general human population and the environment when applied at concentrations necessary to control larval sea lampreys. There are no EPA restrictions for consumption of fish caught from treated waters. Lampricides are not persistent in fish and are readily eliminated. Greater than 95% of lampricide residues are eliminated from fish one day after treatment. Fish caught during treatment should be filleted to further reduce exposure to lampricides. Greater than 95% of lampricide residues in a fish are contained in parts other than the fillets. Persons concerned about exposure can consider catch-and-release during treatment and for 24 hours after.

Lampricides are selectively toxic to sea lampreys, but a few fish, insect, and broadleaf plants are sensitive. Persons confining bait fish or other organisms in stream water are advised to use an alternate water source because lampricides may cause mortality among aquatic organisms stressed by crowding and handling. Agricultural irrigation must be suspended for 24 hours, during and following treatment.

The program is contracted through the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Commission initiated chemical control of sea lampreys in 1958. Since that time, the highly successful program has contributed significantly to the maintenance of the $7 billion Great Lakes sport and commercial fisheries.

More information on sea lampreyOpens In A New Window and the use of lampricidesOpens In A New Window can be found on the Great Lakes Fishery Commission website (glfc.org).

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Media Contact:
Mike Parker
Communications Director
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
(717) 585-3076
[email protected]

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