Asian Carp

From Great Lakes Wiki

Asian Carp

This seven minute video about Asian Carp discusses the impact of the flying fish
on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, and how to prevent them from entering the Great Lakes.

Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)

The Bighead carp is one of the fish accumulating the most concern. They can grow to 60 inches and 110 pounds and leap through the air at the sound of boat engines, though their average weight is between 12 and 15 pounds. It is inconclusive as to why, but there is some speculation that boat engines running at certain frequencies frighten the fish, whose defenses consist of evacuating the water. The Bighead carp feeds on zooplankton, and fish larvae.

Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molotrix)

One of the most agressive of the Asian carp, introduced in aquacultures in 1973. They exhibit similar growth patterns as the Bighead carp and share the flight phenomenon, sometimes jumping 10 feet out of the water. They have been able to gain 12 pounds in one year, feeding on phytoplankton. They may also eat larvae of competitive fish. In Europe and Asia, silver carp can constitute 90% of a day's catch, in the United States about 75%.

Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)

The more docile Black carp are still thought to be maintained within aquacultures. Some have been found in the wild, though apparently unable to develop sustainable populations. They feed on snails and mussels on the bottoms of lakes and rivers.

Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Introduced in 1963 to clean up aquaculture ponds, the tame grass carp can eat up to 40% their weight in aquatic vegetation per day. They can grow to be up to 100 pounds and live upwards of 20 years.

Problems

Evolutionarily suited for the climate and conditions of the Mississippi River Basin, the carp have moved up the Illinois river and have been caught within 25 miles of the Lake Michigan inlet. The main concern is over the ability the four fish have when combined. They can effectively eat every primary source of energy in an aquatic ecosystem. It is thought they may destroy the biodiversity of lakes and rivers.

Flying danger to health and equipment

Solutions

Currently, there is a fear that the silver and bighead carp will unwittingly breech the electric barrier put in place southwest of Chicago at the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Dispersal Barrier and run rampant in Lake Michigan. The fence was built in 2004, consisting of two rows of electrodes spanning the bottom of the river 200 feet apart from each other. The idea is that classical conditioning will keep the fish at bay (or at river), and out of Lake Michigan.

The China Market

Apparently smoke better than salmon.

Source Links

U.S. Geological Survey study on Mississippi River System

NPR special Asian Carp: Can't Beat Them? Eat Them

Bell Museum of Natural History Invasive Carp Threaten Native Species, Boaters

Asian Carp Management Database

Technovelgy.com Electric Barrier to Keep Carp Out of Great Lakes

"ASIAN CARP THREATENS THE GREAT LAKES" Seminar Presentation by: Anjanette Bowen - fisheries biologist, January 9th, 7 pm at the Inland Seas Education Association Center in Suttons Bay, MI Seminar to focus on potential negative impacts of Asian Carp to the Great Lakes

Suttons Bay, MI – The Inland Seas Education Association will present a seminar examining the Asian Carp and how it could devastate the Great Lakes fishery at 7pm on Tuesday, January 9th, at the Inland Seas Education Center in Suttons Bay. The program, “Asian Carp: What are they and why are they such a problem?”, will be presented by Anjanette Bowen.

Asian Carp is the general name of four different species of carp: bighead carp, silver carp, black carp, and grass carp. These fish were imported from China into the United State approximately 30 years ago to clear algae and parasites from catfish aquaculture ponds in Arkansas and Mississippi. However, in 1993, flooding caused these species to escape into the Mississippi River. Since their escape, they have been making their way north towards the Great Lakes, and have been seen as close as 40 miles outside of the Lake Michigan. If the Asian Carp enter the Great Lakes, they could have devastating effects on the Great Lakes ecosystem. In response to their advancement, an electrical barrier has been constructed in the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal, a waterway connecting the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan. This barrier has done an effective job thus far in keeping the carp out of the Lakes, but it is uncertain how much longer funding will be provided for operation.

Anjanette Bowen is a fishery biologist for the US Fish & Wildlife Alpena Fisheries Resources Office. She is involved with the Aquatic Nuisance Species Program, which actively monitors, controls, and educates the public on aquatic invasive species that threaten the Great Lakes.

The Inland Seas Education Association is a non-profit organization based in Suttons Bay, Michigan, dedicated to science education on the Great Lakes. The shipboard and shore-side education programs are designed to inspire young people’s interest in science and to provide for the long term stewardship of the Great Lakes. For further information contact the Inland Seas Education Association at (231) 271-3077 or on the Web at www.schoolship.org.

"Asian Carp Threatens the Great Lakes" Seminar, January 9th, 7 pm :: Inland Seas Education Association - Suttons Bay, Michigan