Lamprey Lock Down

Lamprey Lock Down
Level: Super Sleuth

This activity focuses on the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, and the effects of its spread throughout the Great Lakes. To research this activity, please investigate the links below to solve this case.

Alien Profile: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/invert/lamprey.htm

The Battle Continues: http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/exotics/lamprey.html

A Great Lakes Invader: http://www.glfc.org/pubs/FACT_3.pdf

When you answer a question, a 2-digit number will pop up beside your response. When you have completed the activity, you will enter your numbers, as a combination to a lock, in the form box below.

1. You live on a lake infested with sea lampreys and your friend has property on a lake not infested with sea lampreys. Therefore, your property value will be higher.

True

False

2. Currently, $14 million dollars is spent to combat sea lamprey populations.

True

False

3. The fishing industry thrived in the middle part of the 20th century, when sea lamprey populations were at their height.

True

False

4. In 1946, the fish catch for Lake Michigan was 5.5 million pounds. By 1953, the sea lamprey population had reduced the fish catch to 402 pounds.

True

False

5. Sea lamprey infestations resulted in a drastic reduction of the native fish population in the Great Lakes in the mid-1900s.

True

False

6. Of the fish caught and not killed by the sea lamprey at the height of the Great Lakes lamprey invasion, 100% exhibited wounds.

True

False

7. Despite efforts to market the sea lamprey as an edible delicacy, the eel-like lamprey remains revolting and holds no economic value.

True

False

8. The Great Lakes fishing industry makes up to $4 billion/year and provides the area with 75,000 jobs, both of which are in danger from the sea lamprey invasion.

True

False

9. As an adult, the parasitic sea lamprey can destroy up to 40 pounds of fish.

True

False

10. The sea lamprey can live anywhere from 50-100 years, all of which are spent as a parasite, feeding on fish.

True

False

To enter your combination, use a hyphen ("-") to separate the 2-digit number.
example: 10-21-55-88-33-45-91-08-23-37

This activity was written by Regan Kinder, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, funded by National Sea Grant College Program.

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