21. Invasion of Asian Carp in the Great Lakes

Abstract

A recent threat posed to the Great Lakes and adjoining waterways is the Asian Carp. This large bodied fish originated from Asia and was first imported to the North American between 1960 to 1970. Their migration northward through the Mississippi River eliminated native freshwater species through competition of habitat and food resources. It is imperative to focus on the potential invasion of the Asian Carp because the risk assessment is high that the carp would eliminate all native species. Currently the carp are at the border of entering Lake Michigan, which would then provide access to the rest of the freshwater regions in the surrounding area. Ultimately, the loss of lake biodiversity is the fundamental problem and is coupled with economic issues. Bowfin Environmental Consulting INC and various invasive species awareness programs have been utilized to provide guidance on undertaking a project that involves an aggressive invasive species. The challenge faced will be to determine a method in which to prevent the invasion of Asian Carp. Examining their migration patterns, importation laws of live fish, and the policies of invasive species, will provide insight on the approach that should be taken to eliminate the threat of Asian Carp. It is also important to analyze which native species are most susceptible to becoming extinct. Overall, the intention is not only to increase government, scientific, and public awareness of this issue, but also to provide methods that can be implemented to prevent and eradicate the spread of Asian Carp in North American waterways.