Fish in the Great Lakes Declining
Several species of fish found in the Great Lakes have been declining in population and in size. Why? That’s exactly what researchers are trying to solve with a four-year, $560,000 grant. The initiative includes three schools – Purdue, the University of Michigan and the State University of New York – and two federal institutions.
The drop in populations is most likely linked to a decline in a major food source for the prey fish of lake whitefish, salmon, trout and walleye – diporeia. It has been on the decline since the 90s and in many areas in Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan and Ontario it has become completely absent. The decline coincides, probably directly, with the increase and spread of zebra and quagga mussels (see Invasive Species Expansion). Other causes for the reduction in diporeia population may include “man made” pollutants such as pesticides, PCBs and flame retardants.
For now, it is all speculation until the researchers can find a link. But if something isn’t done quickly, in another 10 years, we may be talking about species extinctions in the Great Lakes…Find out more about the decline and how the sport fishing community will be effected. HERE. (BB)
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