The Asian Carp Invasion

Aaron Suehring

9/13/2012

 

 

 

            Picture a pristine underwater habitat, full of diversity. A beautiful habitat that holds 20 percent of the world’s freshwater, and is home to over 80 threatened or endangered species. For those of you with a more economic point of view, picture a habitat that accounts for a $7 billion a year sport fishing industry. Now picture that same habitat devastated, devoid of diversity, with a monoculture of invasive species and a crippling blow to the economy of its surrounding states. These are the Great Lakes, with invasive carp species waiting on its doorstep.

            Asian carp are threatening to destroy the Great Lakes ecosystem, and severely impact the economy of the many surrounding states. The Asian carp are currently found in the Illinois River just outside of Chicago, and are threatening to enter into the Great Lakes. Originally introduced into the United States by catfish farmers in Louisiana in the 1970’s as a method of algae control, floodwaters helped these invasive menaces escape into the waterways.  Considered generalist species, the three species of concern are Bighead carp, Black carp, and Silver carp. They are voracious eaters, able to consume 20 percent of their bodyweight daily, and thus quickly strip food sources from the native species. They eat primarily plant and algae material and because they grow upwards of 5 feet and 100 pounds, they easily outcompete native fish for food.

            The carp also increase the probability of the extinction of the rare Lake Sturgeon, as they are in direct competition for a limited food supply. Not only do the carp pose a risk to the Great Lakes ecosystem and surrounding economies, but they also pose a safety risk to boaters. The silver carp is known to leap out of the water at the sound of a passing boat, and due to their high numbers and large size, a boater being struck by one of them could cause serious injury. Currently, there are three electric barriers in place in the Des Plaines River just outside of Chicago to prevent the carp from crossing into the Great Lakes. While these are not proven to be 100 percent effective, the carp have not been found on the Great Lakes side of the barriers.

            While some people outside of Illinois may not be concerned with the spread of Asian carp, the blow to the economies of all of the surrounding states would be tremendous. Not only would it decimate the diversity of the Great Lakes ecosystem, but the monetary implications it would have on the surrounding states would be crippling. While there doesn’t appear to be any method that is 100 percent effective at eradicating the Asian carp without harming other organisms, there needs to be greater effort put forth to come up with a solution before it’s too late. Time and time again we have seen the damage invasive species can cause to a habitat, and this is no different. With the many stakeholders involved, this could affect us in ways we have not seen before.

 

References:

Rodriguez, N. D. 2011. The Asian Carp Threat to the Great Lakes: An Analysis of Alternatives

for Preventing Asian Carp Migration. The George Washington University Journal of Public Police and Public Administration 18:25-39.