The development of a novel pheromone based strategy to control an invasive fish

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The round goby (Gobiidae: Neogobius melanostomus) is an invasive fish species present in all five of the Great Lakes.  The round goby is impacting the Great Lakes ecosystem, including feeding on embryos and fry of native fishes (lake trout, lake sturgeon, and smallmouth bass). In partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and local, provincial and national organizations, we are developing a pheromone trap to capture reproductive round gobies on spawning grounds of native fishes and in other critical habitats. The use of pheromones to attract or repel fish, and a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie pheromone communication, have exciting potential for application in fisheries management to promote sustainability while conserving biodiversity. We have already shown that gravid females are attracted to odours released by male round gobies in the lab and predict that our field applications will be a success. We also have identified candidate pheromones (11-oxo-etiocholanolone-sulfate and its metabolites) that are synthesized in the testis of reproductive male round gobies.  We will determine the rate and concentration of pheromones released by male round gobies. Fluid dynamic models of pheromone plumes will be developed in the laboratory and applied to field situations.  We have designed a field component to test the efficacy of pheromone traps to capture gravid female round gobies. While this research is focused on round gobies, the principles and research can be adapted to other invasive organisms (i.e., existing research on sea lamprey) and economically important fishes. Given the high levels of participation and tremendous economic value of recreational fishing in Canada, the results of this research will help to ensure the sustainability of fisheries resources for generations.