The Experimental Lakes Area west of Vermilion Bay is sharing its expertise with the continent of Africa.
The International Institute for Sustainable Development has signed an agreement with the African Great Lakes.
Spokesperson Ted Lawrence says there’s a lot in common with our bodies of water.
“The fisheries are kind of the canary in the coal mine,” explains Lawrence.
“If your water is polluted or you have algal blooms, it’s going to affect access to the lake, it’s going to affect the fisheries populations.”
Lawrence says under the agreement, the African Center for Aquatic Research and Education will be taking ELA research and making sure it helps to improve the health of the African Great Lakes.
“To focus on the fisheries, you have to focus on the water bodies themselves. The water quality, what’s going into the lakes, agriculture, rivers. So it’s pretty comprehensive when you think about it.”
Lawrence says there are seven great lakes in Africa and the agreement with the International Institute for Sustainable Development makes good sense.
(Photo provided by the African Center for Aquatic Research and Education)
