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Back to Press ReleasesSource: Pat Charlebois (847)872-0140; charlebo@illinois.edu FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2003 URBANA--Bighead and silver carp pose an
urgent threat to the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, but would you
know these Asian carp if you saw one? Armed with a Bighead and Silver Carp
Watch Card, you might be able to identify these invasive species, and if you
catch one, know what to do about it.
Small in size but chock full of information, the ID card provides general
characteristics of bighead and silver carp, including both photographs and
drawings. In addition, you can read the history and potential impact of
Asian carp in U.S. waters, plus critical information about how to prevent
the spread of these and other invasive species.
“Asian carp are the cause of much concern because they feed on plankton,
which means they can compete directly with native organisms including
mussels, all larval fishes and some adult fish,” said Pat Charlebois,
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant biological resources specialist.
Bighead and silver carp have been moving up the Illinois River towards the
Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal where an electric barrier stands between
them and Lake Michigan. These invasive fishes may also move from the
Illinois River to the Fox or Kankakee Rivers.
To test the effectiveness of the barrier, researchers have been tagging and
monitoring common carp in the area to see whether the fish pass through the
electric field. “In terms of keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes, a
single barrier, unfortunately, is not likely to be foolproof,” said
Charlebois. “Plans for a second barrier are underway and long-term solutions
are being discussed.”
“Barriers, however, will not prevent the spread of Asian carp caused by
human activities,” said Charlebois. Here are some actions and precautions
anglers and boater can do to help keep invasive species in check: dispose of
unwanted live bait in the trash; never release live fish from one body of
water to another; drain lake or river water from the livewell and bilge
before leaving access; and inspect and remove aquatic plants and animals
from any boat, motor and trailer.
If you think you’ve caught an Asian carp, it’s important to report this to
the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program in Zion, IL (847-872-8677), the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Topeka, IL (309-968-7531)
or the Indiana DNR, Division of Fish and Wildlife in Indianapolis, IN
(317-232-4093). Note the exact location and if possible, freeze the specimen
in a sealed plastic bag.
If you catch a common carp that has been tagged, please notify John Dettmers
at 847-872-8679. His address is Lake Michigan Biological Station, Illinois
Natural History Survey, 400 17th Street, Zion, Illinois 60099. It’s
important to include the time, day and location where any tagged common carp
were caught.
The Asian Carp Watch Card has been developed by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant,
the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Great Lakes Sea
Grant Network. To order a free watch card, contact Susan White at
217-333-9441. To order a pack of 100, which costs $7.00, call Cyndi Moore at
the University of Illinois Publications at 1-800-345-6087 or email
cjmoore@illinois.edu . You can also view
the Asian carp watch card on our
Free Products Page.
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The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program is one of 31 National Sea
Grant College Programs. Created by Congress in 1966, Sea Grant combines
university, government, business and industry expertise to address coastal
and Great Lakes needs. Funding is provided by the National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U. S. Department of Commerce, the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Purdue University at West
Lafayette, Indiana.
Irene Miles |
