Conference

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Aquatic non-native nuisance species have emerged as one of the dominant problems facing the Great Lakes and the watershed. Once established, these species are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to eradiate without harming native species. Further, they compete with native species for food and space, and often disrupt food webs, change ecosystem dynamics, and cause considerable damage both environmentally and economically. To address many of these issues, Michigan State University, the MDEQ Office of the Great Lakes, and the Michigan Chapter, North American Lake Management Society will present a one-day conference titled, “Invaders of the Great Lakes: Options for Prevention and Management. The conference will take place at the Kellogg Center on the MSU campus in East Lansing, on Tuesday, March 8, 2005, beginning at 9am.

Some of the presentations will address specific species such as zebra mussel and blue green algae interactions, sex pheromones in management of invasive fish, such as the round goby and sea lamprey, and the potential spread of Hydrilla. Other presentations will cover issues such as food web disruptions, aquaculture and non-indigenous species, invasion history, risks and consequences in the Great Lakes region, and the Chicago Barrier’s effectiveness in keeping out new exotics. A keynote address will be provided by Rebecca Humphries, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director on A State Resource Management Perspective on Aquatic Invasive Species in the Great Lakes.

Other speakers include: Tom Nelapa, Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab; Bill Taylor, Ace Sarnelle, Weiming Li, and Ted Batterson, of MSU’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Hugh MacIssac, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor; Phil Moy, Sea Grant Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc, Michael D. Netherland, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants in Gainesville, FL and Roger Eberhardt, MDEQ Office of the Great Lakes, Lansing.

Information on registering for the conference and updates to the agenda can be found at http://www.iwr.msu.edu/events/ANRWeek. The conference is free and open to the public although advanced registration is requested. For further information contact:

Michigan NALMS is a chapter of the North American Lake Management, whose mission is to forge partnerships among citizens, scientists, and professionals to foster the management and protection of lakes and reservoirs for today and tomorrow.

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