Each zebra mussel is capable of filtering one liter of water a day, ridding the lake of all its plankton and other organisms. In all, dozens of invading plant and animal species are currently at work, placing tremendous stress on Lake Erie s food chain. Though the obstacles are many, Lake Erie has never had so many defenders. Public officials are keeping a watchful eye on the lake. They know they would risk political suicide should any harm come to Lake Erie on their watch.
Business owners realize they stand to earn more tourist dollars by keeping the lake clean.
Finally, sportsmen are adhering to daily catch limits and protecting the resource at all costs, for they know that to ignore the threats to the lake could mean losing it for good this time. Seventy-five percent of seafood in the grocery store is dependant on freshwater at some point in its life cycle. Approximately 35,000 black bears are harvested in North America each year, less than 5 percent of the total population in the U.S. and Canada. Inc. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.