**The title, authors, and abstract for this completion report are
provided below. For a copy of the completion report, please contact the
author at smiehls@usgs.gov or via
telephone at 989-734-4768. Questions? Contact the GLFC via
e-mail or via telephone at 734-662-3209**
Test of a
non-physical bio-acoustic fence to guide migratory sea lamprey
Scott Miehls2, Nicholas S. Johnson2,
and Peter J. Hrodey3
2 USGS, Great Lakes Science Center, Hammond Bay Biological
Station, 11188 Ray Road, Millersburg, MI 49759
3 U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Marquette Biological Station, Marquette, MI
December 2012
Abstract
Control of the invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is critical for
management of commercial and recreational fisheries in the Laurentian Great
Lakes. Blocking sea lamprey from
spawning habitat with physical barriers is a major component of the control
program. However, interruption of natural stream flow and blockage of
non-target species present substantial challenges. Trapping is the primary tool for sea lamprey
population assessment, but successful trapping is dependent on the presence of
a physical barrier to upstream migration.
Development of an effective non-physical barrier would aid the control
of sea lamprey by eliminating access to spawning habitat and improving trapping
efficiency while, being less intrusive on the natural stream habitat and
further allow trapping in locations without physical barriers. We tested combinations of strobe lights,
low-frequency sound, and bubble screens in a two-choice maze bioassay to
determine its effectiveness to block and guide sea lamprey movement. Sea lampreys were more likely to move
upstream in an experimental raceway when the low-frequency sound was present
and when a high-intensity strobe light was active. Upon reaching the upstream
confluence of inflow channels sea lamprey were less likely to move into the
channel from which the low-frequency sound was generated. Sea lamprey movement appears to be influenced
by acoustic and light stimuli and further investigation is necessary to
determine if effective non-physical barriers can be developed.