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Impending Doom!?. The decline of Lake Michigan Salmon. In the news!. Alewife Introduction. Niagara Falls Natural Roadblock Welland Canal Opened in 1859 Allowed for the movement of goods around Niagara Falls. Alewife Migration. Alewife Population Explosion. Alewife populations exploded.
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Impending Doom!? The decline of Lake Michigan Salmon
Alewife Introduction • Niagara Falls • Natural Roadblock • WellandCanal • Opened in 1859 • Allowed for the movement of goods around Niagara Falls. • Alewife Migration
Alewife Population Explosion • Alewife populations exploded
Lake Michigan Salmon Introduction • The Alewife population was reduced • Anglers flocked to Lake Michigan • In Lake Michigan, stockings from 1967 to 1970 yielded exceptional angler returns of about 13% of the stocking rate • As a result, Chinook Salmon stocking programs spread to lakes Huron (1968), Ontario (1969) and Erie (1970). • Since then, a multi-billion dollar sportfishery developed, particularly on lakes Michigan and Huron. • Salmon were introduced originally in 1870 • Alewife populations weren’t large so it was unsuccessful • Coho Salmon • 1966 – Lake Michigan • Chinook Salmon • 1967 – Lake Superior & Lake Michigan.
Zebra Mussel Introduction • Zebra Mussels • Originally detected in Lake St. Clair in 1988. • Native to lakes in southern Russia. • Believed brought in ocean going boats ballast water.
Zebra Mussel Population Explosion • Zebra Mussel populations exploded
2015 – 2016 Achievements • Fulton Schools 6th year in the program. • 3 of 4 Licensed Teachers Pick-up Eggs (600 eggs) • Released 402 Salmon into Fish Creek this year • And wore out a bunch of 8th graders.
The Future!!! • Pilot Program with the DNR • Brown Trout • Brook Trout • Grayling? • Bridging the project into the High School • GoFundMe • GCCF Greenhouse Grant • Professional Development • MSTA Conference • Beaver Island • New Teacher Training