Below is a list of LCSG's accomplishments
in addressing aquatic resource issues. Click on a link to
read a brief description.
Invasive Species HACCP Workshops (September
8, 2004 and March 15, 2005)
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Program
(HACCP) workshops were offered in both New York and Vermont. These
seminars were developed by USFWS and Great Lakes Sea Grant staff
to assist bait aquaculture and government fisheries agency workers
limit the risk of inadvertent invasive species transport. The
first workshop was held at the Valcour Conference Center in New
York. Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department sponsored a second
workshop in Barre, VT. Lake Champlain Sea Grant presented information
for about local invasive species issues at both events.
Water Chestnut Forum (August 7, 2004)
Water chestnut continues to negatively
impact southern Lake Champlain. To further reduce water chestnut
acreage and prevent spread, additional resources are needed to
implement more rigorous management strategies. A public forum
was held in Whitehall, New York to provde education on: the ecological
impacts of water chestnut; opportunities and limitations of water
chestnut control; and how the public can influence future water
chestnut management in Lake Champlain.
Invasive Species Workshop for Customs Officers
(July 31, 2003)
LCSG Aquatic Specialist M. Malchoff provided
a computer slide presentation on the non-native tench, (Tinca
tinca), which poses a risk to Lake Champlain aquatic resources.
A population of this carp-like species is well established in
the Richelieu and South rivers, just a few miles north of the
border in Quebec. Both Malchoff and USFWS L. Champlain Fish and
Wildlife Resource Office director Dave Tilton, also discussed
other invasive species. A total of 17 law enforcement staff attended
the workshop in Highgate Springs, VT.
New Directions in Sea Lamprey Research/Management
Workshop (June 11, 2003)
LCSG Specialist M. Malchoff invited members
of the Lake Champlain Fisheries Technical Committee, and Lake
Champlain Sea Lamprey Alternatives Workgroup to two presentations
scheduled as part of the agenda for the June 8-11 Great Lakes
Sea Grant Network meeting in Burlington. Ten committee/workgroup
members (along with GL Sea Grant staff) heard presentations on
the Use of Pheromones as a management tool, and Non-chemical Lamprey
Control Workgroup Accomplishments. The talks were given by Dr.
Weiming Li, (Michigan State University), and Craig Martin, (USFWS
-LC Fish and Wildlife Resources Office), respectively.
Introduction to Hydroacoustic Sampling Workshop
(April 10, 2001)
Twenty-three biologists, faculty and graduate
students participated in a workshop held in Plattsburgh State's
Angell College Center. The workshop entitled, Introduction to
Hydroacoustic Sampling with Applications to Lake Champlain, provided
attendees with theoretical information and practical application
of hydroacoustics - the use of sound pulses to record and image
underwater objects, including fish. Scientific hydroacoustic systems
utilize transducers, receivers, computers and software to quickly
gather data that previously required labor-intensive netting and
measuring of fish. These systems now enable scientists to remotely
collect information about forage fish populations, including the
total population size, as well as the proportion of various size
or age classes in the population. Researchers and managers can
use such data to better manage Lake Champlain’s smelt population,
and the trout and salmon fisheries that are sustained by smelt.
Anti-Fouling Hull Paint Training for Certified
Applicators (March 21, 2001)
LCSG Specialist M. Malchoff partnered
with NYSG Great Lakes Program Coordinator D. White, and county-based
Cornell Cooperative Extension, to deliver the educational workshop.
The class was designed to provide marina owners/staff with current
state regulations governing the use of anti-fouling hull paints
often used on recreational vessels. Nearly 20 marina employees
from NY and VT received the training.
Harmful Algal Blooms Seminar (May 3, 2000)
Hosted a seminar speaker at Plattsburgh
State to provide information about problematic algal blooms in
Lake Champlain. Greg Boyer from the SUNY College of Environmental
Science and Forestry provided an explanation of the ecology and
biochemistry of toxic blue-green algae blooms, including those
linked to the death of 3 dogs last year in the Champlain Basin.
Attendees included Vermont Health Department officials, as well
as a number of UVM faculty.
Trawl Net Building & Repair Workshop (Feb
29-March 1, 2000)
The workshop was held at the Rubenstein
Lab on the Burlington waterfront. Twenty participants including
VT Fish and Wildlife staff, UVM faculty, and UVM grad students
gained design and hands-on repair skills, that will enable more
efficient use of fish sampling gear in Lake Champlain for both
research and management applications.
