Asian Carp

Reports of Asian carp (7 species) being as close as 40 miles from Lake Michigan are causing an environmental concern. Asian carp are not indiginous to the Great Lakes. This is an introduced, invasive species much like Zebra mussels that threatens to disrupt the ecology of the Great Lakes. Asian carp was originally introduced to the US as aquaculture in the 1970's then released into natural waterways. Asian carp are voracious eaters of both plant and animal plankton. They can grow as large as 100 lb in weight. One of their interesting behaviour patterns is jumping when startled by boats which could present quite a problem should a smaller pleasure craft hit one of these fish. If they enter the Great Lakes, the Asian carp would quickly become the dominant species displace our native species such as bass, pickerel and perch. Currently there are several natural resources management agencies working together to prevent the spread of the Asian carp into the Great Lakes.

Canada's leading funny man, Rick Mercer has come up with a way for dealing with the Asian carp problem. Apparently he isn't far off as Asian carp while being bony, if properly cleaned are edible and sold in Asian markets.

Garden Gnome
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