Asian Carp have the Potential to Devastate the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are worth an estimated $13 billion annually, said Jill Thatcher, communications coordinator for the Invasvie Species Centre in a release. “Asian carp have the potential to devastate the Great Lakes ecologically and economically if they were to establish. They grow very large very quickly with huge appetites to match and would easily outcompete native species for food and resources. Asian carps would negatively impact angling by decreasing biodiversity of popular angling species, boating by reducing water quality, and other forms of recreational water use.”

Researchers, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and other government agencies as well as the University of Toronto, Scarborough are searching for ways to prevent and mitigate their arrival in the Great Lakes, including through physical and sound barriers. Everyone can do their part to remain vigilant and learn to identify and report Asian carp.

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