For Release:  December 17, 2015

EPA has registered two new biopesticide products that use Male Sea Lamprey Mating Pheromone. The pheromone is expected to be an important tool in protecting our Great Lakes ecosystem and fisheries from predatory fish. The products are used to attract and trap breeding female Sea Lampreys during their spawning season.

The control of Sea Lamprey is of critical importance to the aqua and ecosystems of the Great Lakes region. An invasive species not native to the Great Lakes region, the Sea Lamprey is wreaking havoc on native fisheries, including Lake Trout, Salmon, Steelhead and Whitefish. A single Sea Lamprey can kill more than 40 pounds of fish during its life. 

Because of the international nature of the Sea Lamprey incursion, the United States and Canada are jointly registering these two products. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the two governmental agencies charged with controlling this pest, will apply the products in a coordinated effort.

Targeted use of insect pheromone products has been an important tool in agricultural pest control over the last two decades, reducing the use of more toxic conventional insecticides. However, this product will be the first vertebrate pheromone ever registered.

More information on this registration can be found at www.regulations.gov in Docket ID EPA HQ-OPP-2013–0538.

Learn more about biopesticides.