Fact Sheet:

The Limitations of eDNA “Evidence”

Background:

A newly theorized and highly sensitive testing method called eDNA found
inconclusive evidence of Asian carp genetic material near the Great Lakes. In
a one week kill and capture operation designed to verify whether this genetic
material indicated the presence of live Asian carp beyond existing barriers,
the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee killed and sorted 11,000
fish in the Little Calumet River. No Asian carp were found.

Still, politically motivated proponents of economically devastating lock

closure point to eDNA as scientific proof that existing barriers are not
controlling the spread of Asian carp. There is simply no evidence that this is
true, nor do eDNA test results indicate the presence of live Asian carp
upriver of the barriers.

The Facts:

 The ‘evidence’ of carp is based on a test that, according to one of the

biologists who helped implement it, is so sensitive it is likely picking up on
extremely insignificant incidences of fish – such as genetic material – rather
than actual living Asian carp, much less sustaining or reproducing colonies.

 US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) Major General John Peabody noted that
eDNA testing has not yet undergone a complete scientific, independent peer
review, and therefore, any evidence that the electronic barrier has been
breached is speculative.
(February 9, 2010, “Statement of Major General John Peabody, USACE”, Subcommittee on Water Resources and
Development, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives)

 The continued use of eDNA to justify lock closure is not acceptable. The
USACE’s most report states that eDNA, “as an emerging technology being
applied in a field setting for the first time, USACE cannot conclude that water
samples testing positive for eDNA evidence confirms the presence of Asian
carp.” Shutting down navigation based solely on the results of a test that is
self admittedly unproven in the field just doesn’t make sense.
(June 2010, Dispersal Barrier Efficacy Study: INTERIM III – Modified Structures and Operations, Illinois & Chicago
Area Waterways Risk Reduction Study and Integrated Environmental Assessment, United States Army Corp of
Engineers)
  Even if limited numbers of Asian carp are found beyond the barriers, it is
unlikely that they could successfully establish sustainable populations in Lake
Michigan. They are unable to reproduce without long stretches of moving
water and require vast quantities of plankton, both absent in Lake Michigan.

 While the scientific methods used to determine the presence of carp are
questionable, the economic effects of lock closure are not. Closing the locks
would add $150 million to shipping costs of local businesses, and millions
more in taxes, costing the region precious jobs.
(June 2010, Dispersal Barrier Efficacy Study: INTERIM III – Modified Structures and Operations, Illinois & Chicago
Area Waterways Risk Reduction Study and Integrated Environmental Assessment, United States Army Corp of
Engineers)

The Next Steps:

The preliminary findings of eDNA testing require a multi-stakeholder discussion

regarding the threat of Asian carp. No one involved in this issue wants to see Asian
carp continue to spread, but a knee jerk reaction based on unreliable data is
irresponsible. Members of the Asian Carp Working Group must establish specific
criteria for lock closure beyond eDNA testing.

Alternatives to lock closure exist, and should be utilized to mitigate the threat of
Asian carp without crippling the region’s economy. Continued costly and disruptive
closures based on speculative eDNA results distract stakeholder from working
towards a long-term, comprehensive solution to stop the spread of Asian carp.