What is the mandated protocol for handling a confirmed Sea Lamprey caught by a recreational angler?
It must be killed and subsequently placed in the garbage
For recreational anglers and boaters operating in the Great Lakes, the primary directive regarding interaction with the invasive sea lamprey is adherence to strict containment and eradication protocols to support ongoing management efforts. If a sea lamprey is caught, whether attached to a sport fish or captured alone, it is explicitly forbidden to return the organism to the water under any circumstances. The established procedure requires that the captured lamprey be immediately killed. Following the killing, the organism must then be disposed of by placing it securely in the garbage. This protocol ensures the invasive species does not re-enter the water system or spread inadvertently.
