An update on information regarding the efforts to keep asian carp from entering the Great Lakes in the Chicago area.

The report from Marc Gaden at Great Lakes Fisheries Commission (GLRC) below provides some further detail about the efforts of state and federal agencies to respond to the situation on the Chicago & Des Plaines Rivers.

Also, I recently inquired about what the State of Michigan is doing to help deal with the issue.  I heard back from managers at DNR Fisheries Division, who reported that Michigan DNR has been responding to the need for immediate action over in Illinois.  Michigan DNR Fisheries has rounded up its total supply of rotenone (the chemical used to kill unwanted fish), several hundred gallons of it, and staged it at a central facility so it can be shipped to Illinois DNR. Michigan DNR has also offered use of two of its boats and crews to apply the chemical, as well as share DNR's experience with large-scale rotenone treatments.  I am told that Illinois DNR is the agency taking the lead on this, along with logistic support from GLRC.

That's the short-term situation.  Beyond that, it is encouraging to read GLRC's statements in support of restoring the physical/biological separation between the Chicago Sanitary/Shipping Canal and the Great Lakes as the only true solution to keeping more invasive species from entering there.

It is important for all anglers to get behind this issue. Hearing the voices from anglers who can speak first-hand about the economic and recreation value of Great Lakes fishing will help keep the sense of urgency needed to get this job done.  If we could somehow turn back the clock and have prevented the sea lamprey and zebra/quagga mussel from doing their damage to the Great Lakes, who would not want to do that?  Great Lakes stakeholders have the chance now to keep the next big unwanted invasion out.

Dan Keifer
Michigan TU Conservation Committee

• "the CARP ACT” (#CAM10024)
• Great Lakes Task Force letter to agencies 12-09-09
• Invasive Species Update from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission
• Delegation Letter to Oberstar-Obey Mica and Lewis