Millions will be spent to keep Asian carp out of Great Lakes

The Canadian government has announced $17.5-million in funding to protect the Great Lakes from Asian carp (shown).
 
The money will be spent over the next five years on prevention, early warning measures, rapid response, and management and control.

Efforts will include educating people about the danger of this invasive species and ways to prevent bringing Asian carp into Canadian waters.
 
Government representatives will also work with American counterparts to develop an early warning and monitoring system to alert officials about potential problems, along with rapid response protocols to react quickly should there be a need for prompt action.

To further control the entry of Asian Carp into Canadian waters, the government will also work with enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
 
A member of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, Sault MP Bryan Hayes is focusing on invasive species and the damage they can do to the Great Lakes.

“One of the key threats has been identified as Asian Carp," Hayes says a news release. "I had campaigned to have the government take a look at the serious impact this could have on Sault Ste. Marie because of its location on the Great Lakes and I am extremely pleased to see a significant investment prior to the completion of the study."
 
Asian carp are established in the Mississippi River system in the U.S. and there are concerns they could enter the Great Lakes watershed.

The species aggressively competes with native fish for food and habitat, and can quickly become dominant.

*************************