Asian Carp Activity Chronicles

2-23-2010

Where did they come from ?

In the 1970’s they were introduced in the Southern States to control algae and improve water quality in fish farm ponds. Water that is in a pond with no inlet or outlet can get stagnant and produce too much algae. This activity can inhibit or stop the healthy growth of fish in a pond. So the fish were imported from Asia and released in fish farm ponds in hopes to balance that environment. In the 1990’s there were many heavy rains that caused these normally closed fish ponds to flood. When they flooded during these periods, the Asian carp escaped from many of the ponds. The flooding allowed them to get into the interior waterways of the United States. Doesn’t this make you wonder what is really going on in The Tennessee River and the Ohio River too? Just take a glance at the globe that you have in your home that you probably rarely look at until you’re thinking about traveling to some exotic country. Well, that’s what I do anywayz. Just locate Lock and Dam number 4, check the latitude and compare to where Chicago Illinois is. Sightings are being reported that far north. Also keep in mind that on the Mississippi River coming upstream these savage fish must somehow navigate through 22 Locks and Dams. The Illinois River only has 7 Locks and Dams to slow their progression north towards The Chicago network of rivers, canals and locks. This is very alarming information, and everyone in our country should be aware and concerned about these fish. They must not be allowed to continue population growth, or their migratory journey. So far our leaders in Washington have allowed this to continue. At least now they are doing studies to see how many are in the Chicago Waterways. But studies won’t stop them. They are literally undermining our ecosystem. The only way to stop them from invading our Great Lakes system is to close the Chicago locks to traffic until they are completely eradicated, as well as any DNA that is in the Waterways!

Where are they now? Snip- Did you know that the Great lakes hold 30% of the fresh water on the Planet?

Research has proven that Asian Carp are present in the Chicago River and Canal systems. And their presence is currently being denied by the Army Corp of Engineers. When part of the system north of the Army Corps' Electronic fences was poisoned to check the presents of these savage eaters, presence of this egregious predator was found. Studies have also proven that DNA of these predators is already in Lake Michigan. The study was done by the Army Corp. Does that Sound Fishy to you? Have you ever heard that if you see one mouse in your house, there are probably 15 other mice that you aren’t seeing? The Asian carp do not have any known predators. This means, nothing will to eat them! Can you just imagine how quickly they will multiply? This is exactly why the State of Michigan continues to pressure the U.S. Congress to close the locks in the Chicago area to prevent any more of this invasive species from getting into the Great Lake system. The sates of Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are considering similar actions. You might say why are so many other states concerned? They have rivers and lakes that connect to Lake Michigan’s water resources. In the Mississippi River area I think that the States of Iowa and Minnesota must be much more aggressive than they are being currently. I speak from my own experience that I have sighted these veracious bottom feeders’ dozens of times this past summer at the docks in Clinton Iowa. And I’ve also heard them hit the bottom of my own boat. When you are cruising in a 38 foot boat it takes a good size fish to strike the bottom and sound as if you hit a log. The boat weighs 21,600 pounds. It takes 664 horse powers to propel this vessel. These fish have been reported as far north on the Mississippi river as lock and Dam # 4.

Why are they here?

Mainly because to the south of us we have Irresponsible State and Federal Government officials, who have failed to take action to eliminate this invasive species. If they are not stopped, be prepared. It will affect our economy coast to coast. And the Global economy may even be permanently damaged. We just cannot allow this to happen to our environment.

Secondly they are here because they have a remarkable instinct to gorge themselves with food. They will eat most anything in front of their mouths. They can eat about 40% of their body weight in a day. And they will still want more food. They can grow up to weigh a 100 Pounds and up to 4 feet in length. They don’t care if it is another of their species, or some other species. And wouldn’t they just love to get into Lake Michigan? They would just think they’re in Asian Carp Heaven! They would be like kids in a candy store. Luscious, beautiful, salmon awesome tasty and bite size Walleye. Could you imagine this? 7 Billion dollars worth of fish, right in front of their ugly lips. I can’t imagine eating 40% of my own body weight,because then I would weigh, ah whatever.

Who should be responsible to eliminate them?

First, the people who imported an introduced the fish to the United States Ecosystem should be held responsible. Second, the people who allowed the fish to escape allowed them progress up the many rivers and canals must be held accountable for this problem. This could be of unimaginable damage to our environment. It would take generations to rebuild the Great Lakes Ecosystem. But that would not be possible without eradicating the Asian carp first.