It sucks the blood of fish and destroyed the Great Lakes. But in Spain, it costs €100 a plate. 🧛‍♂️🐟 We investigate the Sea Lamprey Paradox. We break down the massive biological war waged by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to exterminate this invasive "vampire," while simultaneously in Europe, conservationists are fighting to save the exact same species from extinction.

1. The "Vampire" Invasion: We analyze the destruction. In the mid-20th century, Sea Lampreys invaded the Great Lakes through shipping canals, decimating the native Trout and Whitefish populations. We explain the biology of their Suction-Cup Mouth—a ring of razor-sharp teeth that rasps away flesh—and the chemical warfare (lampricides) used to keep their numbers down.

2. The "Royal Pie" Delicacy: It’s a pest in Michigan, but a treasure in Galicia. We expose the culinary history. For centuries, Europeans have prized the lamprey for its rich, meaty texture (like "slow-cooked steak"). We discuss the cultural whiplash of a creature that is killed on sight in the US but served in Michelin-star restaurants in Spain and Portugal.

3. The Conservation Conflict: Can you be invasive and endangered at the same time? We explore the dilemma. While the US spends millions to poison lamprey larvae, European dams have blocked their migration, pushing them to the brink. We discuss the global challenge of managing a species whose value depends entirely on its zip code.

The full list of sources used to create this episode can be found on our Patreon under https://www.patreon.com/c/Morgrain