At the end of the day, i do not think we can win this one. At the same time i would like to see several salmon species also introduced into the lake. We have the fresh water adapted species out west and the potential of the Great lakes is huge. It all feeds into a massive Great Lakes Restoration program.
Until now the great lakes have been fished out and also used as an industrial dumping pond. Thjis depleted environment is now home to a number of discordant invasives who all need a massive healthy ecosystem to keep them in check.
Many will howl over this prescription but going backward is not an option.
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Evidence of Asian carp found in Michigan river
Invasive Asian carp species threaten to ruin the sport and
commercial fisheries of the Great Lakes. Federal government action is
slow.
Tuesday, October 07, 2014
By Martin Barillas
http://www.speroforum.com/a/AAWEGBQLDS31/75248-Evidence-of-Asian-carp-found-in-Michigan-river#.VEFkfUCa_bc
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that traces of the DNA of silver carp - a species of Asian carp - have been found in the Kalamazoo River in Allegan
County, on the west side of the state. The two agencies are
collaborating to assess what they term is a "positive environmental DNA (eDNA) result." In July 2014, over two hundred water samples were taken along the Kalamazoo River, from below the Caulkins Dam in Allegan County to the mouth of the river that opens into Lake Michigan. Lab results were reviewed by Michigan's DNR on Oct. 2. One of the of 200 samples, which was taken from just below Caulkins Dam, tested positive for silver carp eDNA.
Two hundred more eDNA
samples were collected nearby during the month of June, but gave no
positive results. The sample taken in July represents the first time
that silver carp eDNA has been found in the Great Lakes besides in Michigan’s Great Lakes waters outside of Maumee Bay in Lake Erie, where the Maumee River
drains a watershed in Ohio and passes near the city of Toledo. Various
Asian carp species have now naturalized in various river systems of the
United States, especially in the southern states. They were introduced
originally by commercial fish farms in order to control algae growth in
fish ponds. They are prolific breeders and crowd out native species.
They are also known to leap en masse from the water when disturbed by
noises such as boat motors. Flying fish have injured several people.
The positive results of the sample means
that scientists have found silver carp genetic material that may include
fish scales, excrement or mucous. According to a release from the
Michigan DNR, there
is no evidence that silver carp have established a population in the
Kalamazoo River. "In addition to live fish, genetic material can enter
water bodies via boats, fishing gear and the droppings of fish-eating
birds. The lower Kalamazoo River is popular for recreational activities
including fishing and boating. Activities such as these may increase the
possibility of eDNA entering the river without the presence of a live silver carp," said the release.
“Although not conclusive, this finding heightens our vigilance and sets into motion a specific response,” said MDNR Director Keith Creagh.
“We will work with our partner organizations and anglers on next steps
to protect the Great Lakes and its tributaries against this significant
threat.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is
providing resources and technical expertise to the state of Michigan in
an effort to prevent the establishment of self-sustaining Asian carp
populations similar to those found in the watersheds of the Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers.
Sportsmen and commercial fishermen have been asked to report any Asian carp that they may find. So far, Michigan's DNR claims that it has received no reports from anglers in the Kalamazoo River area of live Asian carp. The DNR has established specialized traps that are designed to capture the invasive fish.
The DNR is prepared to respond to findings of bighead, silver or black carp in the Great Lakes and river tributaries. MDNR conducted
field and tabletop response exercises in the St. Joseph River in 2013
and the western end of Lake Erie near Detroit in September of this year.
Besides these exercises, the DNR collected almost 1,800 eDNA water samples this year from Great Lakes tributaries in southwest and southeast Michigan.
With implementation of the recently
signed Council of Great Lakes Governors’ Aquatic Invasive Species Mutual
Aid Agreement, the response exercises brought together staff from other
Great Lakes state and federal agencies, including Canada and Ontario,
to test response scenarios and various equipment and gear used to
capture Asian carp species. Michigan has a comprehensive Asian Carps
Management Plan to guide prevention, early detection and management
responses. In addition, the state has recently launched a comprehensive
invasive species effort to address threats to Michigan’s waters and
land.
Asian carp, including bighead
and silver carp, pose a significant threat to the Great Lakes
ecosystem, the $7 billion fishery, and other economic interests
dependent on the Great Lakes and its tributaries. Silver and bighead carp are likely to compete with native and recreational fish species and are known to quickly reproduce.
“The Kalamazoo River results further
point to the urgency of the Great Lakes states to be vigilant in seeking
all solutions to keep Asian carp and other invasive species out of the
Great Lakes basin,” said Creagh.
“Michigan continues to advocate for hydrological separation between the
Mississippi River basin and the Great Lakes basin as the best long-term
solution to the threat of Asian carp. By working together as a united
front, we can address the imminent threat invasive species pose to our
quality of life.” Currently, there is an electrified weir in Chicago
where the waters of the Great Lakes are united with the Mississippi
River system at a canal chokepoint
controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers. The spread of invasive Asian
carp has been a frequent source of contention between the state
governments of the states of the Great Lakes, as well as a sore point in
bilateral relations between the US and Canada.
Sports fishermen
have asked to familiarize themselves with Asian carp, and to identify
them by sex. Asian carp can be spread through the use of live bait
buckets. Citizens are asked to drain all water from their boats and to
clean boats and gear. Invasive species and eDNA are known to “hitchhike” within live-wells and attach to boat trailers, anchors and fishing gear.
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