Gobies in the Great Lakes

I have found that fish don't make the news as often as I'd like them to, but when an article does come up, I am always excited. I thought I'd share with you guys this interesting news article regarding the invasive round goby.

http://www.mlive.com...ds_its_ran.html

Jason

Jason,

Thanks for posting that link. It was a really good article! I've often wondered if the Round Gobies would travel up the rivers that dump into the Great Lakes. I guess this confirms that they do. What a bummer!

Brian

Jason,

Thanks for posting that link. It was a really good article! I've often wondered if the Round Gobies would travel up the rivers that dump into the Great Lakes. I guess this confirms that they do. What a bummer!

Brian

And still not a GD thing is being done about the ballast water that keeps bringing in new exotics into the Great lakes. What are we up to now 183? I see the sportsman's group lawsuit to get something done was thrown out of court. And the EPA says it's not their baby.

While I totally agree with AZ that something needs to be done about stopping the importation, and undoubtedly, introductions are negative thing, the invasion of round goby in the absence of dreissenids is far less spectacular than this article or the quotes of the scientists purport. They're partitioning resources with other benthic fishes, to the point where I may spend some time quantifying the extent of their niche with regard to these ichthy-benthos depauperate systems up here in the Great Lakes. Swan Creek is in it's 6th year since initial detection, and nothing has happened besides the habitat of greenside and johnny darter becoming more distinct (ie not finding them roaming the marginal zones between riffle and organic rich sand, respectively). In fact, this might be a good project for my URM student I'll be working with. Although the outcomes are going to honk off a lot of people who rely on invasive species for their funding <evil grin>

Todd

I was fishing in the harbour area in Tobermory Ontario (upon lake Huron) with a worm and a tiny hook and in 5 minutes I caught 3 of these guys and nothing else. I then gave up and left.