Proceedings 2021/012

Proceedings of the Regional Peer Review on Information on the Potential Harm to Fish and Mussel Species at Risk (SAR) from Bayluscide Applications; February 28–March 1, 2019

Chairperson: Lynn Bouvier

Editor: Olivia Sroka

Summary

A regional science peer-review meeting was held from February 28–March 1, 2019 in Burlington, Ontario. The purpose of the meeting was to provide research information on the potential harm to fish and mussel species at risk (SAR) from Bayluscide applications to support decision making with regards to the issuance of permits or agreements. Participants included DFO Science, Species at Risk Program, Sea Lamprey Control Program, Fisheries Protection Program, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, United States Geological Survey, and academics from Canadian universities.

The invasion of Sea Lamprey in the Great Lakes inflicted widespread and significant mortality on fish that supported Indigenous, commercial, and recreational fisheries. In response to the invasion, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission was charged with developing and implementing a program to eradicate or minimize Sea Lamprey populations in the Great Lakes. The primary method to control Sea Lampreys is the application of selective lampricides that target Sea Lamprey larvae in their nursery habitats. These include a granular formulation of Bayluscide that is used to assess and control larvae in deep-water environments. In some instances, Bayluscide has been applied in waterbodies that contain fish and mussel species currently listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). As a result of these applications, DFO’s SAR Program requested Science Advice to understand the potential impacts of Bayluscide on fish and mussel SAR, and to identify best management practices and potential mitigation measures to minimize impacts.

This proceedings report summarizes the relevant discussions from the meeting and presents recommended revisions to be made to the associated Research Documents. The Proceedings, Science Advisory Report, and Research Documents resulting from this science advisory meeting are published on the DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) website.

Proceedings 2021/012 (PDF, 458 KB)

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