The feds aren't taking Asian carp lightly. About $7 million has been set aside to target and remove the fish from the Great Lakes.
A series of projects were outlined Monday to determine how far Asian carp have moved toward the Great Lakes and how to remove them from Chicago waterways.
The projects, costing $7 million, would continue to use electrofishing, netting and water sampling to detect the bighead and silver carp, as well as their genetic foot prints, on either side of a barrier that stands about 25 miles from the lake.
In addition to technologies already in place, an underwater camera also will be added. The camera will be used to determine where the carp are gathering and whether any are getting past the barrier.
“This plan represents an intensive and collaborative response to Asian carp in Illinois waters and is a key part of the Obama Administration’s comprehensive and long term strategy to protect our Great Lakes from Asian carp.” said John Goss, Asian Carp Director for the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Asian carp DNA was found in numerous spots past the barrier in 2009, although only one carp has made it through. Since this discovery, government agencies have increased their campaigns to prevent Asian carp from getting into the lakes.
According to biologists, if the carp become established in the lakes, they could starve out other species, including salmon and trout.
The $7 million comes from $47 million pledged by the Obama administration for carp containment this year.
