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Good news for lakes with no Asian carp DNA

Thankfully Michigan waters continue to remain free of Asian carp.

That was the story this week from Department of Natural Resources officials, who shared recent results of studies taken from throughout the Great Lakes.

Since 2013 the Michigan DNR, along with similar agencies in other Great Lake states, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have been taking water samples of major tributaries of the Great Lakes looking for environmental DNA (eDNA) of bighead or silver carp. Both species are most often referred to as Asian carp.

This year 2,445 samples were taken, bringing the three year total to 7,200 samples. While some results still are awaited, the majority of this year’s sampling is complete and no eDNA was found.

In all the years of testing only in one – 2014 – was a positive trace discovered. That came from the Kalamazoo River where a small trace of silver carp eDNA showed up. Further testing and work in the river determined the trace probably did not come from a fish, but rather a boat that previously had been in water that had silver carp present.

The Great Lakes have suffered from invasive species in the past, with very negative impacts on the ecosystem.

If Asian carp were to get established, they pose the greatest threat yet to the Great Lakes. Thus, it is important they never have that opportunity.

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