LOWER GREAT LAKES
Fishery Resources Office

The LGLFRO is a leader in monitoring, detection, and prevention of ANS within the New York State Canal System (NYSCS). The program developed and implemented by the LGLFRO is multi-faceted and conducted in cooperation with partners such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation , the New York State Canal Corporation , and New York Sea Grant.

1. Biological Surveys
In 2007, fishery surveys will be conducted during the navigation season at key canal system entry points including Tonawanda, Rochester, Montezuma NWR plus additional sites not sampled in recent years. Electrofishing will be used during May, July, and September to confirm the expansion of existing invasive species and monitoring for incidental captures of rare or threatened species. Additional techniques like minnow traps will be used as needed for such species as round gobies. Plankton samples and benthic invertebrates will also be collected and documented and physical water parameters will be recorded at these sites.

2. Regional Workshops for Science Educators
In cooperation with New York Sea Grant, two workshops will be conducted in 2007 to educate school teachers and science educators on the role of the canal in the introduction and spread of ANS throughout the state and between watersheds connected by the system. Previous workshops have been very successful, attracting a large number of educators interested in teaching their students about this unique vector for ANS transport. In 2007, workshops will be conducted in Lockport and at Montezuma NWR. They will include a demonstration of survey techniques and methods used to monitor and detect ANS. For more information, contact Mike Goehle at 716-691-5456, ext. 32 or Michael_Goehle@fws.gov

3. Round Goby Round-Up
On July 28, 2007, the LGLFRO will perform and coordinate an intensive collection and monitoring effort for round goby in the main stem Erie Canal. From 2003-2006, Round Goby “Round-Up” events have yielded enthusiastic participation from volunteer anglers, as well as interest by media and others. Last year’s event was held on August 26, where 49 anglers at eight sites ranging from Lockport to Rochester confirmed eastern expansion of goby in the NYSCS - this time to Brockport, NY.

For this year’s event, the LGLFRO will coordinate with volunteers, local angling groups, and other environmental organizations to maximize volunteer efforts for the event. Gobies collected will be saved for diet analysis and new expansions will be reported to the USGS/NAS database. In addition, early detection efforts to monitor the leading edge of goby expansion eastward will occur using the appropriate gear as needed.

The LGLFRO has created an Erie Canal goby WATCH card (pdf-294KB) to help spread the word about gobies and how to report them. For more information about the WATCH card or to sign up for this year’s round-up in July, please contact Denise Clay at (716) 691-5456, ext. 31 or Denise_Clay@fws.gov.

4. Erie Canal Benthic Drawdown Study

5. Oswego River Goby Surveillance
The LGLFRO began monitoring for round goby in the Oswego River portion of the New York State Canal System in 2006. Although present in Lake Ontario near Oswego for several years now, they have not yet been reported or detected from the Oswego River, which connects into Oswego Harbor. Using minnow traps deployed from shore, the LGLFRO plans to continue monitoring this region to look for gobies and collect stomach diet data, if possible.