Over twenty years ago, Asian carp were imported by catfish farmers in the Midwest to remove algae and suspended-matter out of their hatchery ponds. When a large flood hit the Midwest in the 1990’s, water levels rose dramatically allowing the carp to infest local waterways that lead into the Mississippi Basin, including the Illinois and Ohio Rivers. Because of the carp’s large size, ravenous appetites, lack of natural predators and rapid rate of reproduction, these fish currently pose a significant risk to the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, and could potentially destroy the Great Lakes Ecosystem.

Senator Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) led the hearing Thursday which included a panel of distinguished experts and academics from across the country. The panel presented many potential long-term solutions to curb the growing threat the Asian carp pose to the ecosystem of the Great Lakes.

"It's time to assess the progress that has been made and the methods that have been implemented to prevent Asian carp from entering into the Great Lakes. There are several approaches that need to be discussed from differing vantage points across the country. It is my hope that we take into consideration every option and ultimately determine the best path to take based on science and experience," Senator Garrett said.

Present at the hearing to provide testimony for the senators were representatives from the following organizations: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Illinois Commercial Fishing Association, Metropolitan Planning Council, Nature Conservancy and Natural Resources Defense Council.

While many fear that if Asian carp infest the Great Lakes they could damage or potentially ruin the ecosystem of the lakes, experts eased concern at the hearing yesterday by addressing issues of the Asian carp spawning habits.

Duane Chapman of the U.S. Geological Survey explained to the committees that carp need specific conditions within a body of water in order to spawn and reproduce other carp. Chapman addressed that the current in the Great Lakes is simply not strong enough for the carp eggs to undergo the ideal process in order for them to hatch. In addition, carp can only spawn when they are in large groups, and with no actual carp being found in the lakes yet, Chapman is assured that even if carp get into the Great Lakes, the threat of reproduction is minimal.

Even though the carp pose minimal immediate threat to the Great Lakes, Chapman did express concern regarding the carp infesting the 18 tributaries connected to the Great Lakes. In these smaller bodies of water, they would be able to spawn and eventually move into and pose a significant threat to the Great Lakes.

This hearing was a progressive first step in what will be a long process for the state of Illinois in addressing the issue of Asian carp and the threat they pose to the waterways. Members of the Environment and Agriculture and Conservation committees will continue to investigate and discuss potential solutions to this issue.

For further and up-to-date information, please visit:

www.asiancarp.org/rapidresponse