A sea lamprey. Photo: User:Drow_male / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Sea lamprey is an aquatic invasive species that can be found in the St. Marys River. These eel-like fish are parasites that attack other fish by latching onto them with their sharp teeth. Originally native to the Atlantic coast, the lampreys made their way into the Great Lakes through shipping canals. The federal Sea Lamprey Control program, based in the Sault, has greatly reduced their numbers. The Sea Lamprey Control program is part of an international effort to control lamprey populations throughout North America.