Great Lakes

Invasive weather fish in the Des Plaines

Shedd staff recently conducted surveys on the invasive weatherfish (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) and here’s a picture of a weatherfish we found in the process. As a popular fish for home aquariums, it’s believed that weatherfish were released into Chicago waterways by well-intentioned pet owners attempting to dispose of them.  This is a good reminder to never release pets into the wild if you can no longer care for them.  It could potentially become another invasive population in an already taxed Great Lakes ecosystem! Stay tuned for a future posting about our project!

Posted by Nicole, conservation

Sea Lampreys In Detroit

One student from William Thorne Elementary in Dearborn Heights, Michigan had a funny reaction to seeing the sea lamprey in her school.  "They look gross!" she said.

It was neat for me to connect with these 4th and 5th grade students about the Great Lakes and invasive species.  These students where knowledgeable and interested in how they could help protect our lakes against invasive species.  As I see it, they are our future scientists and protectors of the Great Lakes so its wonderful to see that these students are willing to take action.

Posted by Eve, Fishes

Threatened fish found

Banded Killifish

Phil Wilink from the Field Museum and I went out to 12th Street Beach last week for a quick survey of the fish in the area.  I was amazed to see the banded killifish which is a native Great Lakes fish I have never seen before in my more than 20 years of fishing.  The banded killifish is a state threatened species based on Illinois Department of Resources standards which means it is a fish likely to become a state endangered species within the foreseeable future in Illinois.  It has most likely suffered because of invasive species like round gobies and alewives dominating the food supply in Lake Michigan.  I hope that seeing them near Burnham Harbor is a positive sign for their populations.

I go out regularly with the Great Lakes team to do beach sweeps at 12th Street Beach and never knew this fish was so close!

--Posted by Kurt, Fishes

Asian Carp knocking on the door

New testing methods have shown DNA evidence of Asian carp being as close as 5 miles from the electric barrier in Romeoville.  Many are speculating what may happen if the carp get past the barrier and into Lake Michigan.  Some of my colleagues say the carp will immediately head for river and stream systems to find plankton.  Others question the amount of plankton left in Lake Michigan after the zebra mussel infestation.  Either way, we don't want to find out what will happen! Check out the SunTimes article here.

-Posted by Kurt, fishes

Carp Corral 2009

For the 14th year in a row the US Fish and Wildlife Service welcomed volunteers from Shedd Aquarium, US Coast Guard, Army Corp of Engineers to resume the survey of the Illinois River.  The survey is commonly known as the carp corral since the focus is on monitoring the movement of the invasive bighead carp and silver carp toward Lake Michigan.  Volunteers also track the movement of invasive round gobies toward the Mississippi River basin and the spread of a deadly fish pathogen called viral hemorrhagic septicemia.

Eric Leis from US Fish and Wildlife Service with a big head carp found in Peru, Illinois near Starved Rock State Park.

Native Gardening Tips

Planting season has begun! If you are planning your garden this year here are four good water conservation tips to keep in mind:

• Conserve water – a healthy lawn only needs one to two inches of water per week.

• Minimize evaporation by watering your lawn or garden during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.

• Disconnect your downspout and direct it toward landscaped areas.  Or try catching rain in a rain barrel or cistern for later use.

• Consider a porous design for your garden path.  This allows water to reach the underlying soil and replenish groundwater.

Christine, horticulture 

Great Lakes on the big screen

"If you could take everyone on this continent on an expedition from one end of the Great Lakes to the other, you would change the way that they look at these natural treasures."

That was the thought behind Canadian film producer David Lickley's movie Mysteries of the Great Lakes playing now at Imax and Omnimax theaters around the basin.  I recently saw this movie at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and absolutely loved it.  It was incredible to see footage of ship wrecks, caribou in the wild and the beautiful bluffs of Lake Superior.  Watching this movie made me proud to live in the Great Lakes region.  I give the film two thumbs up!

For teachers, the film has an educator's guide to use after your students see the movie.  Check it out!

--Posted by Elizabeth, conservation

Electric Barrier Lacks Proper Spark

The electric barrier in Romeoville has structurally been completed since 2006.  The only problem is, as of today, the "on" switch has not been flipped for the electricity to start flowing.  The barrier, designed to keep Asian Carp out of Lake Michigan, is not currently serving its purpose.  According to journalist Dan Egan of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Great Lakes governors and taxpayers alike are frustrated with the slow pace of the process.  Read the complete story here.

The Coast Guard and Army Corp of Engineers have been testing the barrier for two and a half years to ensure its reliability and safety.  The main concerns still lingering are the safety implications if a person should fall in the water near the barrier and the possibility that flammable materials might not safely pass on cargo ships through the barrier.

"The longer we wait the greater the chance is for an Asian Carp invasion," said Jim Robinett.  "Asian carp are dangerous for the ecosystem, the native Great Lakes fish, outdoorsmen and tax payers.  Invasive species are expensive to control so prevention is the key."

--Posted by Elizabeth, conservation

Listening to Your Lakes on the radio

Today's blog was written by Elizabeth, Great Lakes conservation coordinator

Just to clear things up, Lake Michigan did not conduct any interviews over the radio waves as the title of this blog suggests.  But a representative spoke on behalf of these magnificent bodies of water that desperately need our help.

Earlier this year, Melanie Napoleon, Director of Great Lakes conservation, spoke with Karen Williams of Clear Channel radio WNUA.  The two ladies chatted about the Great Lakes and why it is important to protect this wonderful natural resource. 

At one point Melanie mentioned the four threats facing the Great Lakes, "pollution, invasive species, water over-use and loss of habitat for wildlife." Learn more about these threats facing the Great Lakes and what you can do to help: Download Melanie Napoleon talks about the Great Lakes-Shedd

New Natural control methods

Today's blog was written by Kim, Assistant Director of Great Lakes conservation

Invasive species have affected many waterways throughout the United States.  They represent an issue that affects all of the Great Lakes and some of the most devastating invasive species include zebra mussels and quagga mussels.  Recently, an article was published in the Daily Gazette, bringing to light a biopesticide that has been developed to kill off these destructive mussels.  A New York State Museum researcher was looking for a non-toxic alternative to treating this infestation because previously the only way to get rid of them was to use highly toxic pesticides.  

This biopesticide, which uses natural bacterium, will prove fatal to the mussels that eat too much of it and will likely be available in early 2009. 

We invite you to share your thoughts on invasive species and how beneficial you believe this new pesticide may be to improving the quality of life and sustainability of the Great Lakes’ native species.