Dangerous Asian Carp are invading the Illinois River and heading for the Great Lakes. Asian Carp are an invasive species that have a strategy of overwhelming their environment and a habit of jumping when spooked by boats. They can grow to 100 pounds. Imagine a leisurely sunset cruise on the river when you are hit in the head by a 80 pound fish. The bass fishing tournaments in Peoria are gone, replaced by tourists watching carp jump and fishing above the water with bow and arrow.
Video of Asian Carp Jumping on the Illinois River
Asian carp have no stomachs which causes them to eat non-stop. They grow quickly and leave nothing behind for native species. They reproduce like crazy. Watch out Great Lakes whose fragile environment has already been attacked by zebra mussels and lampreys. As the carp make their way up the tributaries, steps must be taken to keep them out.
So what can be done? A new breed of fisherman are making a good profit fishing the invasive species. Considered good eating by the Asian-American populace, harvesting the fish for food is an excellent method of returning the Illinois River to its native inhabitants.
Those things are scary. I think if one of those jumped up at me, I’d run off screaming. I hope the fishermen’s plan will work!
Comment by cinnamonspider — November 27, 2006 @ 10:35 pm |
I think that we need to be more concerned when protecting our environment. Instead of letting the little things go we should put a stop to the problem before it goes any further. If someone would have stopped these fish when they were first discovered it would never have multiplied into this big problem and we would not be risking the animal life in the Great Lakes.
Comment by lvambrandrw — December 1, 2006 @ 11:30 am |
Seeing fish bodies flopping around kinda freaks me out. Making these carp into a profit is a wonderful, noninvasive way to attempt at maintaining balance. These carp sound dangerous to our waters, and I wonder if there is anyway to eradicate the species or are we stuck with them now?
Comment by Julia Garcia — December 1, 2006 @ 1:55 pm |
I have seen these things up close and personal, i have researchedthem for 2 years, i have no faith in the barrier, when they get into Lake Michigan they will breed without resistance as the MDNR is protecting the Alewife! Which makes all invasive species protected, rebuilding the Perch to former levels would provide protection as they would intercept any spawb attempt, however we are not allowed to have the Perch back because they eat Alewives as well.
Comment by TOM MATYCH — December 30, 2006 @ 5:10 am |