Protecting Our Waters: Multi-jurisdictional Approach to Asian Carp Presence in the Illinois Waterway

Session: 02a. - Status and Management of Invasive Carps in the Great Lakes

Kevin Irons, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, [email protected]

Abstract

Bi-national, federal, state, provincial, local, and non-governmental agencies are collaborating in several state-of-the-science approaches to stop the advancement of Asian Carp (Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and Silver Carp H. molitrix) as they approach the Laurentian Great Lakes through the Illinois Waterway.  Increased coordination of the efforts began in 2010 has benefited these efforts with funding and coordination provided by the USEPA – Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.  A Monitoring and Response Plan has been developed annually which includes short term and long term strategies as well as contingency plans to apply traditional fisheries techniques, new technologies, and increased communications.  These efforts have removed over 6.3 million pounds of invasive fish since 2010 with the leading edge of this invasion holding no closer than 47 miles from Lake Michigan over the last 28 years.  Population levels in upstream reaches have been reduced to 68% from 2012-2014 and maintained at these lower levels since.  Models using demographic and fish movement tendencies have also been identified to assist management goals and strategies.  We suggest these accomplishments and collaborations may broadly effect, guide, and improve natural resource management in the Great Lakes as well as guiding interagency collaborations in the future.

1. Keyword
carp

2. Keyword
invasive species

3. Keyword
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)