Great Lakes Aquarium Educates Public On Invasive Species

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s National Invasive Species Awareness Week and the Great Lakes Aquarium is educating the public all about them.

When invasive species are in a spot they don’t belong in and do not have a natural predator to keep them in check they can spread. That’s why the aquarium currently has an exhibit up to show how an animal can become one of those pests. Examples include sea lamprey, zebra mussels, and goby.

The executive director says it is important for people to understand what invasive species are and even though as an aquarium they focus on the aquatic ones, there are tons of others out there to research.

“Invasive species on a whole is really important for people to understand to know about it. Especially since we can actually be agents for some of those invasive species. As we move around as we become global world here and globally connected. It’s not too hard for us carry one animal where it shouldn’t be to another ecosystem,” said Jay Walker, executive director of the Great Lakes Aquarium.

And with boating season coming up it is recommended to check and clean your boat so that you don’t spread anything from lake to lake. The invasive species exhibit at the Great Lakes Aquarium will be up all week.