Lamprey aquaculture successes and failures: A path to production for control and conservation

Abstract Lamprey culture methods are needed for use in both control of invasive sea lamprey in the Laurentian Great Lakes and restoration of imperiled species. Control purposes include the use of cultured animals to develop population control methods (e.g., gene drives), the production of hard-to-find life stages for research (e.g., age-0 larvae, metamorphosed juveniles), or the recovery of native lampreys impacted by sea lamprey control practices. For restoration, Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) and European river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) are cultured both for research (e.g., animals to conduct passage studies) and outplanting to supplement natural production. Research and development of techniques for rearing anadromous lampreys have revealed vulnerabilities and resiliencies that could also inform control programs. We review this information, provide case studies of lamprey production (both planned and unplanned), and prescribe a blueprint for the facilities and support needed to produce 1000 metamorphosed anadromous juveniles from artificial production. Although this goal has not been accomplished to date and some key uncertainties remain in this unique challenge, the cumulative combination of research and experience has positioned us to make this goal a reality in the near future.