Prairie River Network: Necropsy shows new corps plan may not be enough to stop Asian Carp

Contact: Robert Hirschfeld, Prairie Rivers Network, rhirschfeld@prairierivers.org, 217-344-2371 ext. 205

CHAMPAIGN, IL – A necropsy of the Asian carp caught nine miles from Lake Michigan in June has revealed that the fish originated below the electric barriers. The electric barriers are the last line of defense against an Asian carp invasion of the Great Lakes. That this fish breached those barriers indicates the critical need to consider all options in protecting Lake Michigan from this invasive species.

“Today’s news requires that we take swift action to put effective defenses in place,” PRN Water Policy Specialist Robert Hirschfeld said.

A recently released study by the Army Corps looks at various options to prevent the advance of Asian carp beyond the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Those options include the recommended alternative — construction of a new electric barrier — as well as permanent closure of the lock.

“To protect the Great Lakes and ensure Asian carp never make it to Lake Michigan, we need to seriously consider all options, including lock closure,” Hirschfeld said. “We cannot afford to gamble with the Great Lakes, all of their precious tributaries, and the thousands of jobs across the region.”

Prairie Rivers Network (PRN) is Illinois’ advocate for clean water and healthy rivers and is the Illinois affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. PRN advocates for cultural values, policies and practices that sustain the ecological health and biological diversity of Illinois’ water resources and aquatic ecosystems. It is a member-supported, nonprofit organization that champions clean, healthy rivers and lakes and safe drinking water to benefit the people and wildlife of Illinois.