They're Heeeere

A grass carp, one of the eight types of Asian carp outside of its native range. Credit: US Geological Survey -- Florida Integrated Science Center, Gainesville

It had to happen sooner or later.

Michigan and U.S. officials announced that a single Asian carp has been found for the first time beyond the electric barriers constructed to keep the invasive species out of the Great Lakes, CBC News reported this morning.

Our World Water Day interview with Professor John Casselman of Queen’s University’s Biology Department included some discussion on the threat of Asian carp to the Great Lakes. When we asked him what could be done to mitigate the problem, he told us “not much.”

“We have no methods of control at the present time and nothing is in the foreseeable future,” said Casselman. “Our experience with control of lamprey and other invasive fish species indicates that prevention is key; eradication is not possible.” Read the interview here.

This clip from Waterlife documentary demonstrates the “sport” that has been made of “hunting” Asian carp. Read our interview with director Kevin McMahon here.