Scientists have mapped the genome of the sea lamprey, “providing insight into how to control the invasive species that has terrorized the Great Lakes basin since the late 1800s,” reports the Great Lakes Echo.
+ “Winning the War Against the Sea Lamprey,” a 1998 Lake Superior Magazine story by Bert Bowers.
'Tis the Season
You wouldn’t know it by the eye-high snow banks, but spring has technically arrived – and on the Great Lakes, that means shipping. On Wednesday morning in the Twin Ports, the 1,004-foot Mesabi Miner was the first vessel out of the harbor, transporting a load of coal to Marquette.
The Duluth Seaway Port Authority:
The departing lakers will secure their places in line with other downbound traffic near Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., to await the reopening of the Soo Locks for the 2013 season at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 25. Likewise, there will be a line-up of upbound lakers on the eastern side of the Locks, led by the Paul R. Tregurtha, which means the Twin Ports will likely see regular marine traffic patterns by end of the month.
The St. Lawrence Seaway officially opened Friday; saltie traffic should reach Lake Superior in early April.
Early Results from Minnesota Moose Study
Six of the 111 Minnesota moose collared this year during a DNR mortality study have already died, reports the Duluth News Tribune's John Myers.
Wolves, researchers say, were responsible for two of the deaths.
+ In Ontario, North Shore conservation groups expressed their concerns this week in Thunder Bay about polluted stormwater draining into Lake Superior, reports CBC News.
+ Lake Superior State University’s annual Snowman Burning, traditionally held on the first day of spring to ward off winter and welcome the new season, was postponed after forecasts predicted subzero temperatures, high winds and lake effect snow.
+ New this May: The North by North Music & Arts Experience in the Twin Ports. The Duluth News Tribune has more.
Upcoming Events
Friday, March 22 – Sunday, March 24: The 2013 Spring Expo in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Saturday, March 23: Maple Sugaring Day, 12-4 p.m. at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Paradise, Michigan.
Saturday, March 23: Earth Hour Celebration, 7-9 p.m. at Duluth’s Lake Superior Zoo.