Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Photo
The term “Asian carp” actually refers to 4 individual species that have recently been introduced to North America; the silver, bighead, black, and grass carps. The bighead, and silver carps became established in the Mississippi River after escaping aquaculture facilities in the early 1990s, and are now threatening to invade Lake Michigan. If they reach the Great Lakes, these carps pose a legitimate threat to native fish populations. These carps are expected to out-compete native species because of their ability to proliferate and consume large amounts of plankton. They are known to grow to more than a metre long, and weigh as much as 40 kilograms. The silver carp is the more famous of the two, often shown on video leaping out of the water to heights of 2 metres or more. These carp jump wildly when disturbed by the sound of outboard motors, creating a significant hazard for recreational boaters.
Shipping locks near Chicago are all that presently separate the Asian carps from Lake Michigan, as DNA evidence has suggested that they have breached electronic fish barriers upstream. The state of Michigan is being supported by five other states and the province of Ontario, in seeking a court injunction to have these locks permanently closed.
What can you do?
Although it may seem like a small thing, you can help prevent the spread of Asian carp and other aquatic invaders to inland lakes, by never transferring live baitfish from one waterbody to another. Many native fisheries have been negatively altered forever through this common practice.
For further information on the spread of the Asian carp and other exotic species visit the Great Lakes Fishery Commission website at: www.glfc.org
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