Understanding behaviour to improve trapping success of invasive Sea Lamprey

Invasive species have large ecological and economic costs. Trapping could be used for effective control. I used underwater video to monitor behaviour of invasive Sea Lamprey at traps located at a hydroelectric dam. I tested if few lamprey enter traps because high discharge from the dam prevented them from reaching openings, conspecifics deterred them from entering, and if more time spent at traps increased entrance rates. High discharge and conspecifics did not prevent lamprey from reaching and entering traps, and more time at traps increased entrance rates. Second, I collected lamprey from the field and assayed their behaviour in the lab to test if some lamprey were more vulnerable to trapping due to personality differences. Trapped lamprey reduced their activity when a predator cue was added compared to lamprey captured by electrofishing. Control rooted in behavioural understanding is a promising management option if these behaviours can be exploited for trapping.