Impending Doom!?
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Presentation Transcript
Impending Doom!? The decline of Lake Michigan Salmon
Alewife Introduction • Niagara Falls • Natural Roadblock • WellandCanal • Opened in 1859 • Allowed for the movement of goods around Niagara Falls. • Alewife Migration
Alewife Population Explosion • Alewife populations exploded
Lake Michigan Salmon Introduction • The Alewife population was reduced • Anglers flocked to Lake Michigan • In Lake Michigan, stockings from 1967 to 1970 yielded exceptional angler returns of about 13% of the stocking rate • As a result, Chinook Salmon stocking programs spread to lakes Huron (1968), Ontario (1969) and Erie (1970). • Since then, a multi-billion dollar sportfishery developed, particularly on lakes Michigan and Huron. • Salmon were introduced originally in 1870 • Alewife populations weren’t large so it was unsuccessful • Coho Salmon • 1966 – Lake Michigan • Chinook Salmon • 1967 – Lake Superior & Lake Michigan.
Zebra Mussel Introduction • Zebra Mussels • Originally detected in Lake St. Clair in 1988. • Native to lakes in southern Russia. • Believed brought in ocean going boats ballast water.
Zebra Mussel Population Explosion • Zebra Mussel populations exploded
2015 – 2016 Achievements • Fulton Schools 6th year in the program. • 3 of 4 Licensed Teachers Pick-up Eggs (600 eggs) • Released 402 Salmon into Fish Creek this year • And wore out a bunch of 8th graders.
The Future!!! • Pilot Program with the DNR • Brown Trout • Brook Trout • Grayling? • Bridging the project into the High School • GoFundMe • GCCF Greenhouse Grant • Professional Development • MSTA Conference • Beaver Island • New Teacher Training