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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USACE Releases Minnesota Aquatic Pathways Reports

Sep 25: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released the Focus Area 2 Aquatic Pathway Assessment Summary Reports for the State of Minnesota: Swan River and Libby Branch of Swan River. The reports present the methodology and key evidence used to assess the potential for transfer of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through several aquatic pathways.

    As part of the Focus Area 2 portion of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS), USACE evaluated two potential pathways within the State of Minnesota, Swan River and Libby Branch of Swan River to consider the probability that a viable aquatic pathway exists. The reports show that both pathways in Minnesota were rated as low probability for movement of ANS. Comments will be accepted through October 25, 2012. 

 

    On September 14, USACE released the Focus Area 2 Aquatic Pathways Assessment Summary Report which presents the methodology and key evidence used to assess the potential for transfer of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through several aquatic pathways [See WIMS 9/24/12]. A total of 18 potential aquatic pathway reports, and one report for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are being released in phases, by state, as part of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS), Focus Area 2. The initial Summary Report provides a summary of the individual reports (i.e. pathways) to be completed and released in phases. Comments are also being accepted on the Summary report through October 14, 2012.

 

    Access an announcement from USACE with links to the MN reports and commenting instructions (click here). Access the schedule chart for the release of various reports and commenting (click here). Access the GLMRIS website for more information (click here).

 

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