A multi-sensory approach to targeted management strategies for the round goby (neogobius melanostomus)

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The round goby has become a dominant species in the Great Lakes at sites that have been historically popular and profitable for recreational fishing of sport fish. This invasion threatens the multi-million dollar recreational fishing industry, and has impacted the survival of indigenous fish. This damage will continue to spread with the expansion of round goby populations to more inland waters and rivers. We propose to protect the breeding grounds of sport and indigenous fish by developing a targeted approach for biological control of the round goby in specific sensitive locations, by developing a multisensory strategy with pheromones and vocalizations, for attracting female round gobies into traps. The proposed research will identify the chemical structure of a pheromone released in the urine of nesting males for attracting females, will define the dispersal of this pheromone by nesting males, and will assess the efficacy of combining the dispersal of this pheromone with calls emitted by nesting males for luring females. This research will be carried out by a group of experienced chemists and biologists, with consulting input and collaboration from international experts and in partnership with the Ontario Ministry on Natural Resources (OMNR).