Are there Asian carp in the Mississippi River? This is a question often raised by anglers, boaters, and wildlife experts alike. The answer to this question is not a simple one. Though these species of fish are invasive and pose a threat to the river’s other inhabitants and water ecosystem, the presence of carp in the river still remains uncertain.
Asian carp are a complex topic with a large variety of opinions. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Asian carp species is a type of carp native to East Asia and was introduced to the United States in the late 70’s. Though these species of fish were made to assist in algae control, they have become a problem due to their rapid reproduction, high appetites, and method of residing near the upper-layers of water.
Scientists and biologists have been tracking the Asian carp ever since its introduction. While some believe the carp is present in the Mississippi River, some are still uncertain if it is determined to be an exact match. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, environmental DNA testing utilizing remnant biological material of the carp has been used to monitor the mobility of the fish in the river. These test results suggested that there could be a presence of Asian carp in the river, however, no exact results have been returned.
The issue of the Asian carp in the Mississippi River does not just affect environmentalists, but affects everyday life for the people living in the region as well. Local communities worry their daily activities, such as fishing, will be affected by the presence of the carp, and economic consequences could follow. This has caused many people to take action in the quest to rid the river of carp, if it is determined they are present.
With the lack of a definite answer, and the possible presence of the carp in the river, it is hard for officials to take action. The United States Coast Guard is one organization that is actively attempting to tackle the problem. In an effort to remove the carp from the river, the Coast Guard has installed two electric barriers at an entry point near Chicago, Illinois. This is the furthest known current location of the carp and a permanent solution to the problem is being actively discussed by other officials and the organization.
With the potential of the Asian carp in the Mississippi River, it is hard to determine the future of the river and the species that inhabit it. Though more testing is being done to understand the situation, it is yet to be seen what steps must be taken if the carp is found. Therefore, the presence of the carp will remain a topic of debate as further investigations are done.
Effects of Asian Carp on Native Species
The presence of Asian carp has caused a major concern amongst environmentalists as they can affect native species living in the Mississippi River. There are a variety of effects the carp have on their ecosystems, primarily due to their dominance.
Asian carp are known to be aggressive eaters, which causes them to predominantly compete for resources over other species, particularly the native species of the Mississippi River. This includes resources such as food and habitat, both of which are limited for native fish.
What is worse is that the presence of Asian carp can also reduce biodiversity, as their competition for resources is making it harder for the native species to survive. This is problematic due to the fact that this could cause the native species to go extinct, which would be detrimental to the ecosystem.
Though this is a major concern, there have been multiple solutions provided to combat Asian carp. For example, there have been proposals to introduce invasive species that prey on the carp, as this would reduce their population and benefit the native species.
Moreover, there has been a stakeholder-led effort that includes local governments, wildlife experts and anglers that are discussing alternatives to limit the Asian carp’s dominance. For example, the plan includes reducing boat speed and decreasing noise pollution, which would reduce the impact of the carp.
Economic Impact of Asian Carp
Not only is there an environmental toll of Asian carp in the Mississippi River, but there is also a significant economic impact. It is estimated that if the carp were to enter the river, repair costs to the infrastructure and damage to boating could total more than $400 million.
A significant amount of this figure pertains to the costs of repairing boats that have been damaged as a result of the carp jumping out of the water. Studies have shown that the carp can jump up to ten feet out of the water when startled, which presents a large danger to any boaters who are near the river. Causing large amounts of damage to the people and the boats, repair costs tend to be high.
Another large portion of the estimated cost is dedicated to the potential repairs that would need to be made to the river’s infrastructure in order to completely remove the carp from the river. This could include a variety of methods such as, barriers and netting to keep the carp from entering, as well as special procedures for handling the fish.
In addition to that, there would also be potential costs for organizations due to the effects of the carp on tourism and recreational activities. Though previously mentioned, the carp could affect tourism and the local community’s daily activities, and the associated costs of repairing the possible effects could add to the total economic cost.
Furthermore, if the Asian carp were found to be in the Mississippi River, then the costs of environmental damage and restoration would be a significant part of the economic cost resulting from the carp’s presence.If the carp were to become established in the river, there would be a heavy loss of native species, which would negatively affect the ecosystem of the river and the areas surrounding it. This would require a significant amount of financial resources to restore the river back to its original state.
Preventative Methods
Due to the potential of damage caused by the carp and the costs associated with it, local authorities have implemented preventative efforts to keep them out of the Mississippi River. One popular method being used is using a barrier system to prevent the carp from entering the river.
These barriers are electronic field barriers that are used to deter the carp from entering the river by emitting an electric charge.This is an effective way of preventing the carp from entering, as it is non-lethal and it does not harm the other native species.
In an effort to protect the ecosystem of the Mississippi River, authorities have also employed the use of netting to trap the carp before they enter the river. This is done by using large nets that are placed at the entrance points of the river, with the intention of trapping the carp before they can enter. Once trapped, the carp can then be safely removed and transported away.
These preventative methods have been implemented in the hopes of avoiding the potential risks associated with the Asian carp and the damage they can cause to the Mississippi River. Through the enforcement of these methods, authorities are attempting to stop the carp from entering the river before it is too late.
Proposed Solutions
If the carp is found to be in the Mississippi River, a plan for its removal must be set in motion. While prevention is optimal, some proposed solutions have been discussed in the event the carp are determined to be in the river.
One potential solution is to manually remove the carp from the river. This can involve utilizing the utilization of high pressure hoses to target the carp and the areas they are typically found. This method is said to be effective, however is also expensive and time consuming.
Another potential solution is the usage of various chemicals in order to remove the carp from the river. This method is capable of removing large numbers of carp quickly, however there is a downside to this as it can harm other organisms living in the river, such as plant and fish species.
Finally, the usage of sound waves have also been suggested. This method uses sound waves to target the carp, which causes them to flee from the area. The downside to this method is that it is a costly one and does not necessarily guarantee that all carp will be able to be removed.
Though the presence of Asian carp in the Mississippi River has yet to be confirmed, the possibility of their presence is alarming and a call for action has been made by various organizations and experts. Therefore, proposed solutions have been suggested in order to increase the effectiveness of removing the carp if they are found to be in the river.
Conclusion
The presence of Asian carp in the Mississippi River is a topic of concern for a variety of reasons. Not only does the carp pose a threat to the native species living in the river, but its presence could cost millions for local authorities and boaters alike.
Therefore, it is important for those living near the Mississippi River to understand the issues related to the Asian carp in order to be informed about the potential effects it could have on the river. Though their presence is yet to be determined, it is possible that their presence could be determined in the future and steps must be taken to protect the river and its inhabitants.
