Asian Carp: Biologists Announce New Plan To Rid Great Lakes Tributaries Of Invasive Fish

Asian carp, an incredibly invasive species of fish, have been discovered again by Illinois fisheries biologists, who needed two of them in in a Chicago lagoon on Thursday.

Both of the bighead carp, which were found in Garfield Park Lagoon, were about 60 pounds each and were thought to have been there for many years.

Since the discovery, biologists from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources have decided to use new methods to remove the invasive fish, before they can reach the Great Lakes, according to Medill.

Chris McCloud, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, assured the public about the lagoon where the carp were found that that:

“It is a very low risk pathway because most of these ponds have no connection (to the lake), but it is still important that we go out and find if there are Asian carp to prevent any mistaken or purposeful transfers.”

The new methods for locating and removing Asian carp include underwater sonar and electrofishing, which will help to track and remove the carp.

Market Watch reports that the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada stated of the work to remove the invasive fish that:

“The Great Lakes are important to the economic and cultural make-up of Canadians who live and work on these waters. These lakes support both recreational and commercial fisheries and a way of life for our people. Our efforts to date have prevented Asian carp from establishing in the Great Lakes system and we will continue to do what is necessary to keep them from taking over this valuable watershed.”

The Illinois biologists have set up a $12 million Asian Carp Monitoring and Rapid Response plan, which will focus on monitoring, sampling, and responding rapidly to remove and carp that are discovered, according to Medill.

Col. Frederic A. Drummond, Jr., district commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District said during a press conference at Garfield Park Lagoon Wednesday that:

“Monitoring is a key component in the Army Corps of Engineers four-pronged strategy, which also includes operating the electric barriers, ensuring the effectiveness of the barrier system, and completing the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study.”

Medill reports that the invasive fish were originally imported from Southeast Asia to the southern United States, in order to help aquaculture and wastewater treatment plants keep their retention ponds clean. The fish were able to escape into the Mississippi River system following flooding. From there, the Asian carp migrated into the Missouri and Illinois rivers.

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