Fact Sheet:

What if Asian carp are beyond the barriers?

Background:         

During routine monitoring efforts related to the control of Asian carp in the Illinois
Waterway System, member agencies of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating
Committee announced today one bighead Asian carp was found in Lake Calumet. 

However, it is important to note that the presence of Asian carp upriver of existing
barriers is not cause for alarm. The objective of ongoing Asian carp control
measures is to prevent Asian carp from establishing a self-sustaining population in
the Great Lakes.  This is notably different than preventing low numbers of Asian
carp from reaching the lakes.

The Facts:

 The discovery of Asian carp upriver of existing barriers does not mean that
the barriers have failed.  In fact, all evidence indicates that existing barriers
are working successfully. 

 According to the documents published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
there are 21 pathways through which Asian carp could bypass the barriers or
otherwise be introduced upriver, including accidental and deliberate
unauthorized releases by individuals and incidental inclusion of Asian carp in
domestic shipments of food fishes.

 Isolated discovery of Asian carp upriver of the control barriers does not
indicate the presence of a self-sustaining population. 

 With so many possible methods for introduction of Asian carp to the Great
Lakes, keeping isolated numbers or single specimens of fish out of the Great
Lakes is not only likely impossible, focusing on such a goal would be an
irresponsible diversion of resources.  In fact, isolated specimens of Asian carp
have already been found in Lake Erie.
  What’s more, there is no evidence that isolated numbers of Asian carp could
successfully establish self-sustaining populations in Lake Michigan, as they
are unable to reproduce without long stretches of moving water found in
rivers.  Additionally, there are insufficient levels of plankton, the carp’s
primary food source, in southern Lake Michigan. This aquatic “desert” is likely
to further constrain any carp that were to reach the lake.

 Preventing a sustainable population from establishing in the Great Lakes is

the best and most viable goal for protecting the Great Lakes.

The Next Steps:

In light of this recent development, responsible government agencies must engage

in a careful, open, and deliberative evaluation of the extent of the problem, and the
best steps to cope with the discovery. With a multitude of pathways, including
human interactions and/or flooding potentially capable of transporting Asian carp to
the area, it’s important that stakeholders not overreact.

A number of preventative measures, including increased educational outreach to

fishermen and the public, additional regulatory controls, and additional alternative
barriers should be explored before more drastic options are considered.