Asian carp, specifically the bighead and silver carp are well known invasive species, and up to this point have been a significant concern across the United States. In the 1990's the silver and bighead variants of Asian carp escaped into the Mississippi River from flooded aquaculture facilities and have been steadily making their way north, gradually becoming the most abundant species in some areas of the Mississippi. To many people this issue seems distant and the concern of other states, only now they are entering Wisconsin as well. Asian carp can grow up to one hundred pounds and up to four feet long and are known jump out of the water and injure boaters. More importantly they are known for their potential to outcompete native fish species. This can potentially lead to a diminishing number game fish in the waters they enter.
Fortunately there are currently no signs of Asian carp reproducing in Wisconsin waters and the existing population densities are low. There are also several dams that will hopefully slow the species passage upstream. This along with the various countermeasures the DNR has taken will hopefully further hinder the passage of Asian carp into Wisconsin waters. Wisconsin is currently supporting research in methods of eradication of aquatic invasive species or ways of at least limiting their spread. Despite these barriers and countermeasures some say it is only a matter of time before Asian carp begin to cause problems in Wisconsin waters.
Currently Asian carp are found throughout the Mississippi river and the only thing keeping them from entering into Lake Michigan is an electrical barrier system in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. This system is far from fool proof and does not actually kill the fish, but merely acts as a repellent. There are also existing points in the Canal that if flooded, could carry water and Asian carp upstream past the barrier. The only guaranteed way of preventing Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan through the Canal would be to close the canal. Despite the inadequacies in the electrical barrier, construction of similar electrical barriers at two other points along the Mississippi has been recommended. These systems would need to be more advanced and in turn more expensive so that they would allow the passage of native fish, while still stopping Asian carp from passing.
The public is asked to help by continuing to follow state rules to prevent the spread of Asian carp and other invasive species as well as reporting any catch of Asian carp by taking a photo of it, noting where it was caught and bringing it in, on ice to the local DNR office.
Further information about the issue can be found at:
http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/asian_carp.htm
http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/invasive/asiancarp/
http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/invasive_species/asian_carp.html
2 comments:
I didn’t really know anything about the issue of Asian carp before I read this blog. I did, however, know about invasive fish species in Wisconsin or coming into Wisconsin. I know that these are very hard to control once they get here and it is also very hard to stop them from coming into Wisconsin. As you said in the blog the only way to stop the Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan would be by closing the canal, this would also create a big issue. I hope to learn more about this issue and ways to help prevent Asian carp from entering Wisconsin.
I found this pretty interesting. I have also been following some of the steps being taken by the WI DNR and other states. There was a long term article, I believe 9 parts, over the summer in "Wisconsin Outdoor Journal" where they have stated problems and possible solutions to the asian carp epidemic.
I do wonder how we could get rid of the carp, or drastically reduce numbers. If I recall there was an article I read, it may have been in the WI fishing regulations, that stated a person my only take one carp out of a system at a time, and bow fishing for this species is still not allowed. I agree that we need to do more to reduce the number of asian carp, but I think there are other ways that we can do this. Rather than spend a ton of money, lets see what the outdoors men and women can do first by granting them more freedom, rather than spends millions on things that will also not be fool proof.
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