The Effects of Asian Carp to the Great Lakes
“Asian Carp and the Effect on the Great Lakes”
Statement of the Issue
Asian carp are a threat to the Great Lakes if they invade them. They could destroy the Great Lakes ecosystem by overpopulating the lakes and disrupting the food chain. Asian carp are large fish that can weigh up to 100 pounds and grow to more than four feet long and will consume an excess amount of food and leave the other fish with very little to eat. With these carp in the water sport fishing will be affected along with the ecosystem. Not only are the Great Lakes involved, the Mississippi River and all tributaries have had Asian carp affected their waters and caused a drop in their ecosystems. These carp can mass produce which would cause an overpopulation of the lakes and with their size and stature they will force the local fish like trout, bass, and perch to seek other waters to survive or end up dying off.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Mike Leavitt said, “Asian carp threaten both the ecology and the economy of the Great Lakes.” Asian carp’s size plays a big role in the Great Lakes because they are the main predator and no other native fish to the Great Lakes can compete against them. The carp also have a leaping ability to disrupt fishing boats by causing injuries to the boaters. Some sources have stated these carp have leaped out of the water and caused lacerations due to the sharp fins, they have caused black eyes and concussions due to the size and force they would make on impact of a speeding boat. The elimination of these fish is nearly impossible due to all these factors and the Great Lakes climate is perfect for them to survive.
Background and History
Asian carp, also known as heavy-bodied cyprinids, were first introduced to American waters back in the 1970s. Their main job was to remove algae from catfish farms and ponds. When the ponds were flooded the carp got into the tributaries of the Mississippi and headed upstream
Statement of the Issue
Asian carp are a threat to the Great Lakes if they invade them. They could destroy the Great Lakes ecosystem by overpopulating the lakes and disrupting the food chain. Asian carp are large fish that can weigh up to 100 pounds and grow to more than four feet long and will consume an excess amount of food and leave the other fish with very little to eat. With these carp in the water sport fishing will be affected along with the ecosystem. Not only are the Great Lakes involved, the Mississippi River and all tributaries have had Asian carp affected their waters and caused a drop in their ecosystems. These carp can mass produce which would cause an overpopulation of the lakes and with their size and stature they will force the local fish like trout, bass, and perch to seek other waters to survive or end up dying off.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Mike Leavitt said, “Asian carp threaten both the ecology and the economy of the Great Lakes.” Asian carp’s size plays a big role in the Great Lakes because they are the main predator and no other native fish to the Great Lakes can compete against them. The carp also have a leaping ability to disrupt fishing boats by causing injuries to the boaters. Some sources have stated these carp have leaped out of the water and caused lacerations due to the sharp fins, they have caused black eyes and concussions due to the size and force they would make on impact of a speeding boat. The elimination of these fish is nearly impossible due to all these factors and the Great Lakes climate is perfect for them to survive.
Background and History
Asian carp, also known as heavy-bodied cyprinids, were first introduced to American waters back in the 1970s. Their main job was to remove algae from catfish farms and ponds. When the ponds were flooded the carp got into the tributaries of the Mississippi and headed upstream
Citations: Bibliography "Asian Carp Sampling Summary for the Week of September 13th." 21 September 2010. Asian Carp Control. . Environmental Protection Agency. 24 March 2010. . Flesher, John. ABC News. September 2010. . Henry, Tom. "Asian Carp Issue Being Heard in Court Today." Cleveland Plain Dealer 7 September 2010: B3. John Epifanio, Ph.D. from University of Illinois. "Asian Carp and the Health of the Great Lakes." Chicago, 2009. Smith, Jeff. "Can the Asian Carp Be Stopped From Destroying the Great Lakes?" 6 May 2010. MyNorth.com. http://www.mynorth.com/My-North/April-2010/Can-the-Asian-Carp-Be-Stopped-From-Destroying-the-Great-Lakes/index.php?cparticle=4&siarticle=3#artanc Wikipedia. 27 September 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_carps