- Sea lampreys invaded the upper Great Lakes in the early twentieth century through shipping canals.
- Lampreys attach to fish with a suction cup mouth ringed with sharp teeth.
- They bore a hole through the fish and feed on the fish’s blood and body fluids.
- The average lamprey will destroy 40 pounds of Great Lakes fish.
- Fortunately, sea lampreys can be controlled. Lamprey populations have been reduced by 90% in many areas of the Great Lakes, though their populations remain too high in other areas.
- Without sea lamprey control, fishery rehabilitation and stocking would be futile. They can and must be stopped.
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