• Home
  • News
    • Local
    • National
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Closings and Delays
    • That’s What Karl Says
  • Sports
    • Scores
    • NFL on CBS
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • That’s What Karl Says
    • What’s UP with Megan
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
Watch
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Local
    • National
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Closings and Delays
    • That’s What Karl Says
  • Sports
    • Scores
    • NFL on CBS
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • That’s What Karl Says
    • What’s UP with Megan
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result

Invasive Species ‘Sea Lamprey’ populating in the Great Lakes

by Mitchell Rife
June 19, 2023 - Updated on June 20, 2023
A A

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Invasive species can be a big threat to wildlife in all bodies of water, and since the pandemic, biologists say Sea Lamprey has increased in population.

“They are incredibly ugly and even menacing creatures so you’re hearing a lot about them because they are horrible and they are the things of nightmares as far as their general appearance,” said Legislator and Policy Director Greg McClinchey.

Sea Lamprey is a species over 350 million years old and according to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, they’re one of roughly 186 invasive species in the Great Lakes. “These are creatures that were by and large here at the time of dinosaurs and even before that,” continued McClinchey.

There has been an increase in their population because the pandemic slowed wildlife control programs and since they arrived in the Great Lakes, the species has been thriving. “They’ve been growing and they’ve been eating their way into our consciousness,” continued McClinchey.

Sea Lamprey have around 150 inward-facing teeth and generate suction by drawing water over the gills. “If my hand was a fish, they would attach to the fish like this and their tongue would basically poke a hole in the side of a fish and they would simply draw out the juices and drink their prey, now that all sounds horrible, and in the great lakes environment, it means that for the most part once they lock onto a fish they will kill that fish,” explained McClinchey.

A single Sea Lamprey can eat roughly 40 pounds of fish through its adult life and every female can lay up to 100,000 eggs. “Times 40 pounds of fish from one Sea lamprey equals really bad really fast,” urged McClinchey.

Some species of Lamprey do live in lakes, but officials say they’re quick to cause harmful effects to the ecosystems. If you happen to find a sea lamprey, don’t put it back in the water. This species can travel to different bodies of water, attaching itself to boats, or other prey and the commission says to wash your boat and not dump your bate buckets.

For more information regarding Sea Lamprey and other invasive species, click here.

Get WZMQ 19 anytime, anywhere

Download the app

AppleAndroid

Watch on TV

RokuVUit

Connect on social media

FacebookTwitterInstagram

More

News

Downtown Escanaba enjoys annual Christmas Parade

December 1, 2023
News

Iron Mountain Artist Featured in International Art Exhibition Returns with new medal, and renewed inspiration

December 1, 2023
News

Unveiling the Apocalypse: UP takes center stage in the red carpet premiere of Northbound: The Final Chapter

December 1, 2023
News

Aurora out tonight, but clouds could pose a problem

December 1, 2023
News

Christmas in the Village begins at U.P. State Fairgrounds

December 1, 2023
News

Upper Peninsula Children Museum to host its 20th Art Auction

December 1, 2023
Next Post

Borderhounds Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club Raises Funds for Dickinson County Rescue Divers

Hot week of sunny days & mostly clear nights; burn bans return

  • Home
  • News
  • Weather
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Events
  • Programming
  • Station
WZMQ CBS | 19 News

© 2023 WZMQ, LLC | FCC Public File | EEO Report

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Closings and Delays
    • That’s What Karl Says
  • Sports
    • Scores
    • NFL on CBS
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • That’s What Karl Says
    • What’s UP with Megan
    • The Yooper Goddess
  • Events
  • Programming
    • CBS
    • MeTV
    • Start TV
    • Heroes & Icons
    • Court TV
    • Programming Guide
  • Station
    • About Us
    • Mobile App
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Advertising
    • Request Copy of Story
    • FCC Public File
    • EEO Report
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our privacy policy.