By Rosalind Russell – The Great Lakes Fisheries Commission has wrapped its lampricide program in the Mississagi River near Blind River.
According to the release, the Mississauga First Nation was notified that the river system is home to over three million invasive sea lamprey larvae, a species that attaches and kills off local fish stocks.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada began treating some 50 kilometres of the waterway with lampricide in early May, completing the program this week and also carried out some applications in the bay area near the river mouth.
This system was last treated in 2023.
The commission points out that without this treatment, many of the larvae would have entered their parasitic life stage, migrated downstream to the Mississagi Delta area and Lake Huron to feed on and kill up to 18 kg (40 lbs.) of valuable fish.
Lampricide selectively kills sea lamprey larvae and is applied at very low concentrations; however, sensitive species such as native lampreys may be affected, as may fish weakened by disease, spawning, or other environmental factors.
Surveys for non-target and target species will be conducted directly following the treatment.
Fishing and other recreational activities remain safe.
For more information about lampricide safety: www.glfc.org/pubs/factsheets/FACT%204A_HR.pdf
To learn more about the Sea Lamprey Program: www.glfc.org/pubs/factsheets/FACT%205_all.pdf
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