Great Lakes Asian Carp Risk Assessment Report

Jul 12: A bi-national Canadian and United States risk assessment released today indicates Asian carp pose substantial environmental risk to the Great Lakes if they become established there. Bighead and silver carps -- two species of Asian carp -- pose an environmental risk to the Great Lakes within 20 years, with the risk increasing over time. Lakes Michigan, Huron and Erie face the highest risk relative to the other lakes. The risk assessment report was led by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and included a team of scientists from Canada and the United States. Two U.S. Geological Survey scientists were among the co-authors of the report.

 

    The report examined the likelihood of the survival and establishment of Asian carp in the lakes.  It relied on prevention measures under way through November 2010, and did not take into account extensive preventive actions implemented since that time. The authors also assessed the probable ecological consequences should the fish invade the Great Lakes.

 

    USGS Director Marcia McNutt said, "Ever since these non-native fish first escaped and began to breed prolifically in the rivers of the Midwest, the questions everyone has been asking are: 'Can a breeding population survive in the Great Lakes and would it be a significant problem if they did?' Now we know the answers and unfortunately they are 'yes and yes.' This study will help scientists and resource managers in Canada and the U.S. determine how and where to redouble their efforts as they continue to prevent the establishment of these invasive fish."

    The reason for the high risk of invasion is because portions of the Great Lakes offer sufficient food and habitat to enable these invasive fish to spawn, survive and spread, the report's authors noted. They identified the most likely pathway for Asian carp to enter the Great Lakes is via the Chicago Area Waterway System. The report suggests that the major ecological consequence resulting from the establishment and spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes would likely be an overall decline in certain native fish species, including some commercially and recreationally important ones. Such declines could occur because Asian carp would compete with prey fish that primarily eat plankton. This could lead to reduced growth rates and declines in abundance of prey fish species, and thus predatory fish would also likely decline. Asian carp also reduce survival of open-water fish larvae -- like those of walleye and yellow perch -- most likely through competition for plankton or by preying on the larvae.

    However, the authors emphasized that the establishment of Asian carp in the Great Lakes and resulting ecosystem damage are not foregone conclusions. Preventing the establishment of Asian carp in the Great Lakes is the best means of avoiding harmful ecological and economic effects. Preventing establishment remains the main objective of ongoing efforts of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC), a partnership of federal and state agencies, municipalities and other groups, led by the White House Council on Environmental Quality. 

    Access a release from USGS (click here). Access the complete 63-page Binational Asian Carp Risk Assessment (click here).

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New eDNA Prompts More Intensive Asian Carp Monitoring Action

Jul 9: The Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee's (ACRCC) Monitoring and Rapid Response Work Group (MRRWG) announced intensive monitoring action will begin in Lake Calumet and surrounding areas on July 10th, after three consecutive rounds of Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling yielded positive results for Asian carp DNA. The ACCRC's 2012 Monitoring and Rapid Response Plan calls for a Level 1 response to three consecutive rounds of positive eDNA results in one area. While Lake Calumet is regularly monitored for the presence of Asian carp, a level 1 response adds commercial fishing crews as well as additional electrofishing boats, larger sweeping nets, called seines, and additional sampling gear to the area during an intensive four day fishing period. 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.

    John Goss, Director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) said, "Finding three or more consecutive sets of positive eDNA results triggers us to use significant resources to determine if any Asian carp are present. In addition to significant commercial fishing and electrofishing crews, this response will include brand new netting technologies, and we remain vigilant throughout the region in monitoring to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes, developing cutting edge technologies, and investigating all possible sources of Asian carp DNA."

    Biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be on the water with commercial fishermen beginning July 10th through Friday July 13th. The crews will lay several net types throughout the Lake Calumet area, including half-mile long seine nets to sweep large portions of the area. Electrofishing boats will sample fish in shoreline areas and will be used to drive fish towards the nets. The response will deploy new net technologies including, for the first time, pound nets to isolate Lake Calumet and prevent fish movement in and out. Additionally, other new gear being developed for Asian carp detection, including deep water gill nets and six-foot hoop nets, will be deployed as part of the response action. Nets will be equipped with boat-ways to allow boat passage during this extended deployment, and commercial and private vessel traffic will be able to proceed with minimal interference from the monitoring activity.

    Access a release from the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee's (ACRCC) (click here). Access the ACRCC website (click here). [#GLakes]

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2012 Lake Huron Cooperative Science & Monitoring Initiative

Jul 9: During July and September, scientists on board a half dozen research vessels will crisscross Thunder Bay, Saginaw Bay, and the open waters of Lake Huron, collecting samples of sediment, water, mussels, microscopic organisms, and fish. The NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) is joining an international effort to study invasive species, water quality, fisheries and climate change. Much of the research is taking place in the NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

    GLERL is partnering with several Federal, state, and provincial agencies in the 2012 Lake Huron Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative, a joint U.S.-Canadian program, led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Great Lakes National Program Office and Environment Canada. The initiative examines one Great Lake per year on a rotating basis and supports the goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, signed in 1972 by the United States and Canada, in which each country commits to protecting the Great Lakes.  

 

    Research cruises began in April and will continue through September. Researchers are using an impressive fleet of research vessels, including EPA's 180-foot Lake Guardian, GLERL's 80-foot Laurentian and 50-foot Storm, and two large U.S. Geological Survey research vessels, the Sturgeon and Grayling. Sampling missions will also be conducted aboard Environment Canada's Limnos across Lake Huron.

 

    Access a release from NOAA with more details, and multiple links to related information including the project website (click here).

 

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Notice: July 4, 2012

Subscribers & Readers Note:

WIMS will not be publishing today,

July 4, 2012. We'll be back on July  5.

Be safe, stay cool, and

enjoy your July 4th holiday.

Stop Invasive Species Act On Its Way To President's Desk

Jun 29: Bipartisan legislation to stop Asian carp from destroying the Great Lakes' ecosystem passed both houses of Congress today and is now poised to become law. The Stop Invasive Species Act (S.2317 & H.R.4406) [See WIMS 4/23/12], written by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Representative Dave Camp (R-MI) and supported by Members of Congress in both parties, would require the expedited creation of a plan to block Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes through a number of rivers and tributaries across the Great Lakes region. The bill was included as part of comprehensive, bipartisan transportation legislation.

    Senator Stabenow said, "Michigan needs action now to stop Asian carp and other invasive species from devastating our Great Lakes and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that depend on them. Temporary fixes have proven inadequate and this dangerous invasive species is now on the Great Lakes' doorstep. Congress must pass this bill to require quick action on a permanent solution to stop Asian carp." Representative Camp said, "It's a great day for the Great Lakes. We're finally moving toward an actionable plan to permanently prevent Asian carp from destroying the Great Lakes and the $7 billion fishing industry and 800,000 jobs they support. Before, we've had temporary fixes; this legislation puts us on the path towards a lasting solution."

    The Stop Invasive Species Act requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to submit to Congress an expedited action plan with options for stopping Asian carp from penetrating the Great Lakes across 18 possible points of entry. The bill requires the Army Corps to submit a progress report to Congress and the President within 90 days of the law's enactment. The full plan would need to be completed within 18 months, meaning the Corps would have to complete its work sometime in 2013.

    After Stabenow and Camp introduced their legislation, the Army Corps voluntarily said they would expedite the creation of a plan for permanent solutions for stopping Asian carp [See WIMS 5/8/12]. While that announcement was welcome news, the Corps' plan would not present fully completed solutions, and it would focus primarily on the Chicago Waterway System, rather than all of the carp's 18 possible points of entry. The Stop Invasive Species Act requires a completed plan, with proposed solutions for all 18 possible entry ways.  The plan would include proposals for engineering and infrastructure projects to block Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes while still allowing shipping transportation across these waterways to continue.

    Access a release from Sen. Stabenow and Rep. Camp that includes comments from other Great Lakes legislators (click here). Access legislative details for S.2317 (click here); and H.R.4406 (click here).

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Nominations Wanted For Great Lakes Advisory Board

Jun 29: U.S. EPA issued a request for nomination from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as members of its Great Lakes Advisory Board (GLAB) [77 FR 38803]. The GLAB will provide advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator, in her capacity as Chair of the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, on matters pertaining to Great Lakes restoration and protection. Vacancies are expected to be filled by September 2012. Nominations must be postmarked by July 30, 2012.

 

    The GLAB will be composed of approximately 15 members appointed by the EPA Administrator. In selecting members, EPA will consider candidates representing or serving as liaison to a broad range of interests across the Great Lakes, that may include, but are not limited to, environmental groups, business, agricultural groups, youth groups, foundations, environmental justice groups, academia and state, local and tribal governments. Members will be appointed for two year terms and are eligible for reappointment.

 

   The GLAB will meet approximately two times a year. Additionally, members may be asked to participate in teleconference meetings. The average workload for members will be approximately 4 to 6 hours per month. We are unable to provide honoraria or compensation for service on the GLAB. However, you may receive travel and per diem allowances where appropriate and according to applicable federal travel regulations.

 

    Access the complete announcement which includes additional details on making nominations (click here).

 

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Great Lakes Mayors Declaration On Water Sustainability

Jun 28: Mayors from Québec, Ontario and the U.S., representing over fifteen million people, made a 'Declaration on Water Sustainability' and committed to common sustainable water management practices to protect  the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, the largest source of surface fresh water on earth. Also at the bi-national conference of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, five cities were recognized for their outstanding efforts in water conservation, water pollution prevention and sustainability.

    Mayor Tom Barrett, of Milwaukee and Chair of the Cities Initiative said, "Today, my fellow mayors and I made an important declaration on water sustainability to protect the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence through our cities' daily operations and long term investments. Together, the mayors of the Cities Initiative are making a difference in the future health and prosperity of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region and are showing leadership globally in sustainable water management."

    In support of the 'Declaration on Water Sustainability', the Cities Initiative released a report on Sustainable Municipal Water Management, with best practices from members, along with a method for evaluating and publicly reporting on progress on common actions by cities across the basin. Members will be asked to present their public reports on sustainable water management at our next annual general meeting in June 2013. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is a binational coalition of 90 mayors and other local officials that works actively with Federal, state, tribal, first nation and provincial governments and other stakeholders to advance the protection, restoration and promotion of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River basin.

    Access a release from the Cities Initiative and link to more information on the annual general meeting, the award winners (click here). Access the complete 41-page report (click here). [#GLakes]

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