Asian Carp eDNA Found In Sandusky Bay Samples

Aug 28: On July 30-31, 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 collected 150 water samples from the Sandusky Bay and Sandusky River. Analysis of these water samples indicated 20 samples out of 150 taken from throughout Sandusky Bay and Sandusky River have tested positive for the presence of silver carp environmental DNA (eDNA). The eDNA samples were collected as part of extensive sampling effort conducted earlier this summer for Asian carp in Sandusky Bay and Maumee Bay in western Lake Erie. No Asian carp were found through intensive electrofishing and test netting. Maumee Bay eDNA results are currently being analyzed.

    In response to the positive findings, both state and Federal officials have already started collaborative discussions to implement additional investigative work in early September, including additional eDNA testing. All parties continue to work together to assess the current status of bighead and silver carp within western Lake Erie bays and select tributaries. Researchers say eDNA analysis provides a tool for the early detection of Asian carp at low densities, and these latest positive results heighten concern about the presence of Asian carp in western Lake Erie. However, the analysis cannot provide or confirm information about the number or size of possible fish.

    At present, eDNA evidence cannot verify whether live Asian carp are present, whether the DNA may have come from a dead fish, or whether water containing Asian carp DNA may have been transported from other sources such as bilge water, storm sewers or fish-eating birds. The Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Geological Survey are leading a two-year Asian Carp Environmental DNA Calibration Study (ECALS), funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to reduce the uncertainty surrounding Asian carp environmental DNA (eDNA) results.

    Access a release with additional details and links to more information (click here).

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Conservation Plan & EA For Great Lakes Wildlife Refuges

Aug 24: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announced in the Federal Register [77 FR 51552-51553] the availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for the Great Lakes Islands National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) for public review and comment. The group of five national wildlife refuges includes Gravel Island and Green Bay National Wildlife Refuges, Door County, Wisconsin; Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge, Chippewa County, Michigan; Huron National Wildlife Refuge, Marquette County, Michigan; and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Charlevoix, Arenac, and Alpena Counties, Michigan. In this draft CCP/EA, the Service describes the proposal to manage the refuges for the next 15 years. To ensure consideration, the Service said it must receive written comments by September 24, 2012. Open house-style meetings will be held during the comment period to receive comments and provide information on the draft plan.

    Access the FR announcement (click here). Access the draft CCP/EA, information about the planning process and a summary of the CCP (click here).

 

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Annual Great Lakes Areas Of Concern Meeting

Sep 4: The annual Areas of Concern (AOC) meeting will be held in Cleveland, Ohio on September 12-13, 2012, as part of Great Lakes Week 2012, and will convene federal, state and local participants from the 30 U.S. and Binational AOCs to review accomplishments to date, as well as recent developments affecting the AOC program. Discussions at the conference will include: Recent achievements from around the Great Lakes basin to remove Beneficial Use Impairment (BUIs) and delist AOC's; Best practices to achieve BUI restoration targets; How to build state and local capacity to implement on-the-ground and in-the-water restoration actions; How to plan and implement AOC restoration priorities under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; How to improve linkages and develop better integration between the AOCs, LaMPs and other Great Lakes programs; and Potential actions that could strengthen the U.S. and Canadian AOC programs.

 

    Access a posted announcement and links to registration and additional information (click here).

 

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