The Great Lakes are renowned for both its commercial and sport fishing industries.

Long before that, the gifts of the inland seas provided both sustenance and economic trading power to the Indigenous peoples who lived in the region. But, there was a time, not long ago, where the fisheries of the Great Lakes were almost left for dead.

A new documentary, narrated by actor J.K. Simmons, explores the decades-long hunt to identify and subdue one of the biggest threats to Great Lakes fisheries: the sea lamprey.

The film, The Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery, was commissioned to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the agency tasked with controlling sea lamprey.

On this episode, we’ll be exploring how 19th and 20th century shipping opened the door for new vessels - and new threats to Great Lakes wildlife. 

GUESTS:

• Lindsey Haskin, director of The Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery

• Mike Siefkes, director of sea lamprey control with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.