ML070190395
| ML070190395 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 01/03/2007 |
| From: | US Dept of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| jmm7 | |
| References | |
| %dam200702 | |
| Download: ML070190395 (2) | |
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Skip navigation links Fish Facts - Sea Lamprey z Description z Life History z Distribution z Status z Restoration Efforts Download a Fact Sheet (101 KB Adobe pdf file)
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Description The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is a snake-like fish that is often under-appreciated. However, it is an important, non-parasitic native in the Connecticut River (see Life History). The lamprey is often confused with eels, but its jaw-less, circular sucking disk helps to distinguish it from the American eel, which has a true jaw. Adult lampreys are mottled brown above and lighter below, with lighter areas becoming bright yellow during the spawning season. Adults average 24 to 30 inches in length.
Life History The sea lamprey is anadromous (migrating from the ocean to freshwater specifically to reproduce). When they enter the Connecticut River to spawn, they stop feeding, so they are not a threat to inland fishes (as they are in other areas, such as the Great Lakes). All of their reserve energy is saved for spawning, which occurs in the spring. Upon depositing the eggs and milt (sperm) in a stony nest, the adults die. The unattended eggs hatch about two weeks later. Larvae drift downstream, eventually burrowing into a sandy or silty area. The young lamprey Page 1 of 2 Connecticut River Coordinator's Office: Fish Facts - Sea Lamprey 1/3/2007 http://www.fws.gov/r5crc/Fish/zi_pema.html
remain in freshwater for up to 10 years, when they migrate to the ocean.
It is in the ocean that lamprey become parasitic. They use their sucking disks lined with rows of teeth to extract body fluids from a host fish. Their ocean phase lasts one to two years.
Distribution The sea lamprey is widely distributed along the coasts of eastern North America and Europe. Landlocked populations also exist in some inland water bodies such as the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. In the Connecticut River basin, sea lamprey enter the larger tributaries, and reproduction has been documented as far north as the White River in Vermont.
Status The Connecticut River sea lamprey population appears to be relatively stable. For the last 20 years, lamprey counts at the Holyoke Dam have averaged about 30,000 per year. Sea lamprey are a unique, natural part of the Connecticut River ecosystem, and the larvae are an important food source for other fishes. In contrast, populations accidentally introduced to landlocked areas (such as the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain) become parasitic in fresh water and have done great damage to native fisheries in these systems. In such areas, State and Federal agencies carry out active control programs in an effort to protect fish diversity.
Restoration Efforts Though sea lamprey have benefited from fish passage facilities in the Connecticut River watershed, there are no current programs specifically designed to increase sea lamprey populations.
Return to top About Us l Recreational Fishing l Work With Us l Fisheries Management Habitat Restoration l Fish Production l Invasive Species Data l Education l Contacts l Links l Site Map l Home U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service This page was last updated on Page 2 of 2 Connecticut River Coordinator's Office: Fish Facts - Sea Lamprey 1/3/2007 http://www.fws.gov/r5crc/Fish/zi_pema.html