Asian Carp eDNA Found In Lake Erie's Maumee Bay

Sep 25: State and Federal agencies report that Asian carp environmental DNA (eDNA) has been detected in three of 350 water samples collected from western Lake Erie's Maumee Bay and Maumee River between July 31 and August 4. The three samples, all positive for silver carp eDNA, were found in Maumee Bay -- two in Michigan waters and one in Ohio waters. The water samples were collected by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of an extensive sampling effort developed in response to the discovery of Asian carp eDNA in water samples taken from Maumee and Sandusky bays in summer 2011. In addition to the three positive eDNA samples recently found in Maumee Bay, the ODNR, MDNR and Service previously announced that of 150 samples collected from Sandusky Bay in late July, 20 tested positive for silver carp eDNA.

 

   The western Lake Erie response plan also included intensive electrofishing and test netting in the Maumee Bay and River and the Sandusky Bay and River in August 2012, during which time no Asian carp were found. MDNR Fisheries Chief Jim Dexter said, "I cannot overstate the importance of our Great Lakes fishery to the economy and quality of life in Michigan. We will continue working with our partner agencies to identify the source of Asian carp eDNA in western Lake Erie so we can effectively protect the Great Lakes from the threat posed by silver and bighead carp if the species were to establish viable populations in the Great Lakes or their tributaries."

 

    Extensive sampling conducted for Asian carp this summer and fall have yielded no live fish, suggesting that if Asian carp are present, then they are in very low abundance. Asian carp, including bighead and silver carp, pose a significant threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem and economy. Help from the public, especially Great Lakes anglers, will be imperative moving forward. All anglers are strongly encouraged to learn how to identify Asian carp, including both adults and juveniles, as the spread of juvenile Asian carp through the use of live bait buckets has been identified as a possible entry point into the Great Lakes.

 

    Access a lengthy release from MDNR with links to instructional videos and more information on the Asian carp issue (click here).

 

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