Public Media from Michigan State University

New tech tracks Great Lakes invasives

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The Great Lakes Detector of Invasive Aquatics in Trade (GLDIATR) program helps wildlife officials and law enforcement agencies track the introduction of invasives such as the sea lamprey into the Great Lakes.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest

States and Canadian provinces that border the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway invest millions of dollars to track and control invasive species. A new tool developed by the Great Lakes Commission promises to make that task a little easier. Current State’s Kevin Lavery reports.

Millions of dollars are spent each year across the Great Lakes region to control the spread of invasive species. From quagga mussels found in the ballast water of seagoing vessels to Asian carp, environmental officials keep a close watch on organisms that might disrupt the natural ecosystem.

The Ann Arbor-based Great Lakes Commission is developing a new online tool to aid the prevention of invasive species in the lakes. It’s called the Great Lakes Detector of Invasive Aquatics in Trade (GLADIATR).

Current State’s Kevin Lavery speaks with project manager Erika Jensen about what the software is designed to do.

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Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.