Carp DNA Is Found in Lake Michigan

Ecologists and federal officials have found genetic material from the Asian carp at a harbor within Lake Michigan, near the Illinois-Indiana border. The Asian carp is a voracious invasive species—meaning that it is non-native may have a negative effect on the ecosystem. Though unwelcome, the identification of the DNA is not shocking considering that the Asian Carp had long been feared to be nearing the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes have a very delicate ecosystem and the presence of the Asian Carp could be devastating. The presence of the Asian Carp would throw off the ecosystem because of the lack of natural competitors. The arrival of Asian Carp could potentially crush the 7-billion-dollar fishing industry and endanger and ecosystem that contains 20% of the world’s fresh water. Though an elaborate barrier costing millions of dollars had been constructed in hopes of preventing the Asian Carp form making its way into the Great Lakes, the efforts may very well have been futile.
Despite these ominous signs, there is some hope that the Asian Carp has not actually made it’s way into the Great Lakes. Government officials states that no full fish have been found and that the DNA could have arrived by other means. Regardless, however, government officials are very disturbed by the findings and the logistical problems in dealing with it. On the same day that the news of the findings came out, The U.S. Supreme Court has denied Michigan officials the right to close the locks of a Chicago shipping lane that has direct access to the lakes. The news of the Supreme Court’s denial has sparked strong responses from many state officials. The Governors of Michigan and Wisconsin have called upon president Obama act swiftly on the issue, lest the Great Lakes be overrun with Asian Carp and cause devastating irreversible damage.
This article raises an alarming issue. The Great Lakes are a humongous natural resource that are environmentally and economically vital to North America. Though there are many global issues that are very pressing, this should not be put on the back burner, or we may really regret it. Though I think action must be taken, the article raised some interesting questions; what extents should humans go to prevent the “natural” progression of the world? Though the Asian Carp may devastate that Great Lakes ecosystem, could our efforts to stop it also have devastating effects?
Works Cited:
Saulny, Susan. "Carp DNA Is Found in Lake Michigan." New York Time (2010): n. pag. Web. 25 Jan 2010. .

A link to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/science/20carp.html?

-Jukie