Asian Carp closing in on Lake Michigan

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Federal officials say there’s genetic evidence that Asian Carp are even closer to Lake Michigan. A Wisconsin scientist says he’s concerned, but says the invasive fish are a long way from spawning in the Great Lakes.

The Army Corps of Engineers says DNA evidence shows signs of Asian Carp near the Wilmette pumping station in the Chicago River north of downtown Chicago. That’s east and north of other DNA findings. Phil Moy is a fisheries and invasive species specialist for the UW-Sea Grant Institute. He says the new location is not all that surprising.

The announcement comes as the U.S. Supreme Court gets ready later this week to take up Michigan’s request --supported by Wisconsin-- that Illinois and the federal government take additional steps aimed at trying to keep the carp out of Lake Michigan. Moy says he supports a request to as quickly as possible separate the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River system where the carp are found now. But Moy says it may not be necessary to immediately close locks in the Chicago waterways.

Moy says the key is to keep the carp numbers low so they can’t spawn in the Lakes tributaries. Barge owners also want to keep the locks open but Great Lakes sport fishing companies and environmental groups want the high court to order the locks closed.

Tags: great lakes, invasive species, news