Thursday, July 11, 2002

Catch a Lamprey, Win a Prize

Researchers in New York are enlisting the aid of local fishermen in studying the habits of the parasitic Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), a fish native to the Atlantic Ocean that is devastating native fish populations in Lake Champlain. As reported by the Environment News Service, scientists tagged over 2500 lampreys and re-released them back into the lake. Fishermen will deliver any lampreys found and note the location where they were caught, and the scientists will check for tags and take data on each fish. Points are awarded for each lamprey returned, and the fishermen with the most points will win prizes.

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