The Battle Continues

Zebra mussels are a gross invasive species, but even more disgusting is the sea lamprey. They're a primitive fish that lacks a jaw. They just have a great big hole filled with sharp teeth in place of a mouth. Sea lampreys suck onto the side of another fish and use their sharp tounge to rasp through the fish's scales. Then they suck the blood and bodily fluids out of the other fish. Sea lampreys invaded the great lakes in 1919, when the Welland canal was deepened to bypass Niagra Falls. Now they're here in Minnesota, sucking onto fish all over Lake Superior. That's just something to be aware of if you're ever swimming in the lake up at Duluth. The University of Minnesota Extension Service is battling sea lampreys, along with a host of invasive aquatic species, including the clingy Eurasian watermilfoil and the pinchy Rusty Crayfish. You can keep up with the blow-by-blow details of the battle against invasive species at the Minnesota Sea Grant website.