# **Cuts by US Fish and Wildlife Service Endanger the Great Lakes Ecosystem as Sea Lamprey Numbers Increase**
The Great Lakes, recognized as the largest freshwater ecosystem globally, are confronting a mounting ecological challenge due to the latest budget reductions and staff layoffs within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The invasive sea lamprey, a parasitic organism that feeds on native fish populations, may experience a significant rebound as a consequence of these budgetary constraints. Experts caution that if control measures are not sufficiently maintained, the economic and environmental ramifications could be dire.
## **The Importance of the Sea Lamprey Control Program**
For more than 70 years, the **Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC)** has been instrumental in managing the sea lamprey population across both U.S. and Canadian waters. The commission partners with the USFWS to apply **lampricide**, a chemical solution that targets lamprey larvae before they develop into harmful parasites.
The main compound employed, **TFM (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol)**, is administered to rivers and tributaries where lampreys reproduce. This strategy has proven highly successful, preventing millions of lampreys from maturing and wreaking havoc on fish populations. However, recent staff reductions put the continuation of this program at risk.
## **Consequences of USFWS Layoffs on Lamprey Management**
The USFWS has recently released **12 employees** from the sea lamprey control program, which constitutes **14% of the workforce** committed to this critical initiative. These layoffs are part of a broader federal downsizing, but their repercussions on the Great Lakes ecosystem could be particularly severe.
As per **Greg McClinchey**, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for the GLFC, the departure of these staff members might permit over **one million lampreys** to survive, potentially leading to the loss of nearly **five million pounds of fish**. This scenario could result in an estimated **$105 million in economic damages**, significantly outweighing the expenses of sustaining the program.
## **Sea Lampreys: A Significant Threat**
Sea lampreys are an invasive species that infiltrated the Great Lakes via shipping canals in the early 20th century. Unlike native fish, which benefit from natural predators and population checks, lampreys encounter no substantial threats in the Great Lakes.
An individual adult lamprey can consume as much as **40 pounds of fish annually**, utilizing its suction-cup mouth and sharp teeth to attach to host fish and drain their bodily fluids. This parasitic feeding not only weakens but often exterminates valuable commercial and recreational fish species, including **lake trout, whitefish, and salmon**.
Before lampricide treatments were introduced in the 1950s, lampreys had nearly eradicated the lake trout population, causing significant disruptions in the fishing sector. The control program’s success has facilitated a revival in fish populations, but sustained intervention is crucial to prevent a resurgence of the issue.
## **Economic and Ecological Implications**
The Great Lakes underpin a **$5 billion fishing industry**, sustaining jobs and food supplies for thousands across the U.S. and Canada. Should lamprey populations escalate due to diminished control efforts, the economic fallout could be disastrous.
In addition to the financial repercussions, the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes is also in jeopardy. Lampreys disrupt food networks, producing cascading effects on other species. A decline in predatory fish numbers could enable smaller, invasive species to flourish, further destabilizing the ecosystem.
## **Public and Political Reaction**
Traditionally, the sea lamprey control program has benefitted from **bipartisan backing** due to its success and economic significance. However, recent federal budget cuts have placed its sustainability at risk.
McClinchey and fellow advocates are actively lobbying Congress to restore funding and reinstate the laid-off personnel. Although a hiring freeze on temporary workers was recently lifted, the long-term prospects for the program remain uncertain.
One affected employee from the USFWS field office in Marquette, Michigan, voiced disappointment regarding the termination, noting that her layoff letter claimed a lack of “knowledge, skills, and abilities,” despite her solid performance reviews. This has raised suspicions that the layoffs may have been politically driven rather than genuinely reflecting operational needs.
## **Canada’s Involvement in Lamprey Management**
In contrast to the U.S., **Canada has committed to ongoing funding** for its segment of the sea lamprey control initiative. However, as the Great Lakes are shared bodies of water, any decrease in U.S. efforts will inevitably impact Canadian fisheries as well.
“The program operates effectively because it disregards borders,” McClinchey highlighted. If lamprey control falters in U.S. waters, they will inevitably infiltrate Canadian waters, undermining both nations’ endeavors to safeguard the ecosystem.
## **Looking Ahead**
Despite the recent challenges, experts remain optimistic that funding will be reinstated. The GLFC is actively pursuing congressional support, and there is a growing public awareness regarding this critical issue.
