Michigan Prepares To Battle Invasive Asian Carp

Published September 23, 2013 at 12:50 PM CDT

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources uses electric probes to stun fish. (Lindsey Smith/Michigan Radio)

Asian carp, an invasive and destructive fish, have spread through the Mississippi, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri rivers. In total, the fish are affecting more than 20 states from Louisiana to South Dakota.

Under the right conditions, it could take as few as a dozen Asian carp to establish a population in the Great Lakes. That’s according to a report published this month by scientists in Ontario.

If they’re correct, the risk of even just a handful of Asian carp escaping into the Great Lakes could be more significant than officials had planned.

From the Here & Now Contributors Network, Lindsey Smithof Michigan Radio reports on how the Department of Natural Resources in Michigan is getting ready to face off with this invader.

Read more and see more photos on Michigan Radio

Reporter

Lindsey Smith, reporter for Michigan Radio. She tweets @lzsmitty.