Sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) are an invasive species of concern in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Their predation on native species has degraded the ecological and economic health of the region. They are thus targeted for removal through various means, including trapping. Currently, sea lamprey traps are somewhat inefficient, believed to be partially due to their “entrance flows”, or the flow patterns induced by these traps that are felt by approaching sea lampreys. This study experimentally quantifies these flows. Models of two common sea lamprey trap designs were built and installed in a water tunnel in the University of Michigan Hydraulics Lab, and attraction flows were measured using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) with minimal background turbulence. Velocity, velocity gradient, and vorticity distributions in the flow are evaluated from the PIV data. These same models were installed in larger-scale raceways at USGS’ Hammond Bay Biological Station, and attraction flows were again measured using PIV to explore how these patterns change in a more turbulent environment that better mimics natural conditions.
and Hammond Bay Biological Station (HBBS) is a research center that aims to develop control measures for sea lampreys and conduct research to aid native fish restoration. HBBS is a field station of the USGS Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) managed by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC).
More information on HBBS can be found here: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/great-lakes-science-center/science/hammond-bay-biological-station.
