Project Contact: Anjanette Bowen (Anjanette_Bowen@fws.gov)

Background

The Alpena FWCO conducts surveillance to detect new populations of Eurasian ruffe and round goby in nearshore areas of Lake Huron. Photos USFWS.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native aquatic plants or animals that, once they invade an area, may compete with native species for food and habitat resources. They may threaten native species diversity or abundance and disrupt the ecological balance of the invaded area. The Alpena FWCO conducts annual surveillance efforts to detect new populations of round goby, Eurasian ruffe, and other invasives in nearshore areas of Lake Huron and the St. Marys River. read more >

Learn more about round goby - View information

Learn more about Eurasian ruffe - View information

Recent Activities

New! Alpena FWCO Assists with Annual AIS Surveillance on the Illinois River

Alpena FWCO was one of many offices that assisted LaCrosse FWCO with an annual Asian carp and round goby surveillance survey on the Illinois River from June 16-19, 2009. The goal of the survey was to determine the extent of the range and the relative abundance of Asian carp (bighead and silver carp) and round goby within the Illinois Waterway. These species are aquatic invasive species (AIS) and are thought to compete with native fish for food and habitat. The LaCrosse FWCO initiated the survey in 1995. Many state, federal, and community agencies cooperate on this project, which involves angling, trapping, and gillnetting along 200-miles of the Illinois Waterway. Alpena FWCO has assisted with the survey since 1997. read more >

New! Northeast Michigan Invasive Species Program Meeting

Alpena FWCO Biologists Heather Rawlings and Anjanette Bowen participated in an invasive species meeting hosted and led by Huron Pines at NOAA’s Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, Michigan on December 12, 2008. The meeting was held to coordinate efforts to combat invasive species in northeastern Michigan. Three invasive species were selected for control efforts: phragmites (Phragmites australis), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), and buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica and Rhamnus frangula). The goal of this project is to reduce the distribution of invasive species through public awareness and control methods. The group discussed volunteer reporting programs to document the current distribution of invasive species and strategies to initiate public involvement. Other agencies that participated in the meeting include The Nature Conservancy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Another meeting will be held in the spring of 2009 to move efforts forward. read more >

Early Detection and Monitoring for Aquatic Invasive Fish Species on Lake Huron and the St. Marys River

During October 2008, the Alpena FWCO conducted an annual survey to detect new populations and to monitor existing populations of invasive fish species. Bottom trawling gear is used during the survey to detect new populations of Eurasian ruffe and round goby, and to monitor existing populations of round goby at twelve shipping ports and rivers in US waters of Lake Huron and the St. Marys River. No new populations of the invasive species were discovered; however, round goby continue to persist at seven of the twelve sampling locations. read more >

Resource Materials

You can help prevent the spread of invasive species - Learn how

What you can do if you catch an invasive species - Find out

Defending Wild Places Video - How hunters and anglers can stop the spread of invasive species - View video

Invasive Phragmites Video - View video

Aquatic Invasive Species Poster Presentation (pdf - 109 Kb )

Report - Results of Surveillance for Eurasian Ruffe and Round Goby in Lake Huron, 2006 (pdf - 245 Kb)

Report - Great Lakes Report on Surveillance for Ruffe, 2007 (pdf - 91 Kb)

Report - Great Lakes Report on Surveillance for Ruffe, 2006 (pdf - 1.22 Mb)

Useful Websites

ANS Task Force Website - http://www.anstaskforce.gov/

Protect Your Waters Website - http://www.protectyourwaters.net/

National Invasive Information Center Website - http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database Website - http://nas.er.usgs.gov/

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