Asian Carp epidemic

by Jacob Harris

Imagine boating along your favorite water way on a sunny afternoon when out of the corner of your eye you see a shining glimmer before,” SMACK” you’ve just been hit by a 20 pound Asian carp. What is an Asian carp you’re wondering? Asian carp are a particular type of carp that was imported into catfish ponds to keep algae from getting out of control. These hungry aggressive fish then got into the water system in a large flood. Not knowing which way they were going researchers studied their habits and a gut wrenching truth was unveiled. They were heading north to the great lakes destroying natural vegetation and out competing native species for food and home. Measures have been taken to slow and stop the spread of this invasive fish. Shocking stations have been implemented between Chicago and Lake Michigan. Shock stations administer an electric pulse into the water killing everything in the radius. Shocking is a system of stream sampling but in this case can be utilized to keep carp from infiltrating the great lakes. The main concern with these fish entering the great lakes water shed is that these fish will destroy the tributaries. Asian carp out compete leaving no resources left for native fish. The destruction of the great lakes tributary would be the end of a billion dollar fishing industry. With enforcement the tributary has been saved for now. Dan Egan from the Journal Setinal published an article on the findings conducted by the DNR. The Wisconsin DNR set out to take 275 samples from Lake Michigan and sent those tests to Notre Dame. Notre Dame created a test that would test for signs left and created by these carp. The test is based off a tell tale DNA keytone that is unique to this exotic fish entering the waterway. The test conducted in mid to late august 2012 came back negative for all 275 samples .Though some fish have been found above the shock station it is believed that they are stray or outliers. It is currently not believed that these stray fish will populate or that a population exists in the great lakes tributary. However, had this invasive species actually made it into the tributaries of the great lakes there is much debate as to what would happen? There are a few strategies to control these carp had they entered the great lakes. My personal favorite management strategy would be to net and capture these fish like is currently being done to harvest fish in the tributary; Once captured we could ice and ship them back to Asia where these fish are considered to be a delicacy. The second management option which is currently utilized on rivers invaded by the fish is bow fishing. Allowing bow fish hunters’ limitless bag limits would bring popularity to the sport fishing style.

            These invasive species are monsters that destroy natural vegetation and native species in our lake river systems. They reproduce quickly and grow even quicker. Though management plans are in place these fish may break loose at any time and need to keep being monitored to keep our great lakes fisheries safe.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/no-asian-carp-dna-evidence-found-in-wisconsins-lake-michigan-harbors-rivers-146mema-168045556.html