Trapping Task Force

Mission

Terms of Reference – Revised Spring 2013

 

Purpose:  Coordinate optimization of trapping techniques for assessing adult sea lamprey populations and removing adult and transforming sea lampreys from spawning and feeding populations.

 

Supporting Great Lakes Fishery Commission Goals and Strategies as Numbered from the Vision Document:

 

     Goal 1: Suppress sea lamprey populations to target levels.

Strategy 4:      Quantify the relationship between the abundance of spawning-phase sea lampreys, lake trout abundance, and wounding rates on lake trout.

Strategy 6:      Deploy trapping methods to increase capture of spawning-phase and recently metamorphosed sea lampreys.  

     Goal 2: Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of sea lamprey control to further reduce sea lamprey populations in each Great Lake.

Strategy 1:      Increase the capture of sea lampreys by developing cost-effective trapping methods including those based on release of pheromones.

Strategy 2:      Evaluate a repellent-based method to deter sea lampreys from spawning areas.

Strategy 4:      Implement integrated sea lamprey control strategies for each lake and evaluate their effectiveness.

                    

Task Force Objectives:

  • Optimize abundance estimates of adult and transformed sea lampreys to derive the best long-term measure(s) of sea lamprey control success.
  • Coordinate evaluation of the relationship between spawning-phase sea lamprey abundance, lake trout abundance, and wounding rates on lake trout.
  • Identify application strategies and solicit field evaluations of the most promising trapping strategies.
  • Evaluate the role of trapping as an alternate control technique.
  • Mediate a collaborative link between control agencies and research institutions to use the best available resources and facilitate the transition of new technologies from laboratory to field.
  • Identify chemical-biochemical registration requirements, coordinate registration research, and facilitate the registration process with appropriate agency personnel.
  • Develop annual border-blind schedules that maximize trapping efficiency.
  • Update annual standard operating protocols (SOP) for trapping.
  • Develop annual estimates of costs for effort for upcoming fiscal year.
  • Assist in the development of research and technical assistance project (TAP) proposals and participate in field research studies consistent with the assessment research theme paper.
  • Review research and TAP proposals and prioritize task force research needs that are consistent with the assessment research theme paper.

 

Membership:

  • Gale Bravener (DFO – SLCC), task force chair (Appointed – April 2012)
  • Sea lamprey control program trapping experts:
    • Mike Steeves (DFO – SLCC)
    • Jessica Barber (USFWS – MBS)
    • Rotating (USFWS – MBS)
  • Internal researchers:
    • Weiming Li (MSU)
    • Michael Wagner (MSU)
    • Rob McLaughlin (UGuelph)
    • Jane Rivera (USGS – UMESC)
    • Scott Miehls (USGS – HBBS)
  • Outside researchers:
    • Alex Haro (USGS – CAFL)
  • Laketechnical committee member:
    • Vacant
  • IPM expert:
    • Vacant
  • Statistician/analyst:
    • Jean Adams (USGS/GLFC)
  • Additional members/invitees as needed according to meeting agenda
  • Secretariat:
    • Dale Burkett
    • Mike Siefkes

 

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