Here is an email I got from ofah about the lamprey's
Group leads sea lamprey battle
Author: Bill Thompson
Source: Kitchener-Waterloo Record
I've been putting pen to paper about the outdoors for about 20 years now and I'm
still amazed at the achievements of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
Originally started as the Peterborough Game and Fish Protective Association in 1928,
it was joined by several hunters' organizations in 1947 and renamed the Ontario
Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
Over the years, it has evolved into the largest conservation organization in Ontario
with 83,000 members. And when it comes to protecting and enhancing fish and wildlife
conservation efforts, it's tenacious.
"For 70 years, one of Ontario's most successful lobby groups...Low key and polite
yet, by all accounts, devastatingly effective..." wrote Thomas Walkom, national
affairs writer for the Toronto Star in describing the federation.
The accolades continued earlier this month when the Great Lakes Fishery Commission
applauded the work of the federation to secure an important increase in funds for sea
lamprey control in the Great Lakes.
This funding increase announced by Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff Regan came
after strong and sustained support from the federation and after recommendations from
Huron-Bruce MP Paul Steckle; the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, and the
Auditor General of Canada for more money for sea lamprey control.
This commitment to more sea lamprey control means many more sea lampreys will be
eliminated from the Great Lakes before they attack and kill valuable sport and
commercial fish.
Under the minister's proposal, Canada will provide $8.1 million per year to combat
the sea lamprey, a $2-million increase above current funding. U.S. President George
W. Bush has proposed a similar increase in 2006.
Sea lampreys, a fish native to the Atlantic Ocean, invaded the Great Lakes in the
early 20th century through shipping canals. Having no predators in the Great Lakes,
and having an almost endless supply of fish to feed on, sea lampreys quickly
decimated the fishery and caused significant economic harm.
PROGRAM A GREAT SUCCESS
Recognizing the serious problem, the governments of Canada and the U. S. established
a joint control program through the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in partnership
with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The sea lamprey control program has been a phenomenal success: sea lamprey
populations in many areas of the Great Lakes have been reduced by 90 per cent.
They will never be eliminated completely from the Great Lakes, however, so ongoing
control is needed.
"The government's announcement of increased funding for sea lamprey control after
determined support from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is great news
for anyone who values a healthy fishery," said commissioner Robert Hecky of the
University of Waterloo.
"Canada's additional funds will allow the commission and its partners to
intensify the sea lamprey battle, continue to drive down sea lamprey populations, and
protect hundreds of thousands of fish that would otherwise have fallen victim to this
voracious pest.
"The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is particularly grateful to the Ontario
Federation of Anglers and Hunters for their work to convince the government to
enhance sea lamprey control. The federation's work will benefit the Great Lakes
tremendously. We also appreciate the outstanding work of the Standing Committee on
Fisheries and Oceans, chaired by Mr. Tom Wappel, MP (Scarborough Southwest); the
Auditor General of Canada, and Mr. Paul Steckle, MP, for their efforts to support and
advocate more funds for sea
lamprey control," concluded Hecky.
While sea lampreys will probably never be eliminated in the Great Lakes, they are a
manageable problem if governments from both sides of the 49th parallel continue their
efforts and financial commitment.
Rest assured the federation will do everything it can to ensure the battle with sea
lampreys stays on the front burner in both Ottawa and Washington, D.C.
This article appeared in the Kitchener-Waterloo Record on March 26, 2005
(
www.ofah.org/News/index.cfm?ID=2&A=GetDoc&DID=710 )
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O.F.A.H. ( ofah@ofah.org ).
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...upland !....I just got the thoughts of those discusting things out of my mind and.......EYUK ! ....its back!.....Its very distastful to think of one of them things sucking the very life out of its victim! Thank goodness they are not as prominent as they were !........(I realy dont care for them Eeeelly fishes !) ....