A group of distinguished Great Lakes and Mississippi River scientists have published a peer-reviewed, consensus paper detailing the grave and imminent threat of Asian carp to the Great Lakes and calling for separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins.
The paper, titled “Aquatic Invasive Species Risks to the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins,” takes aim at a systematic campaign by special interests to misrepresent scientific results. The scientists conclude there is strong evidence that:
- Asian carp can thrive in the Great Lakes, finding adequate food and spawning habitat.
- The electric barrier is ineffective in preventing the movement of carp into the Great Lakes.
- Once established, Asian carp would seriously damage the Great Lakes ecosystem.
- Physical separation of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River is the only permanent way to stop the movement of Asian carp and other invasive species between the two watersheds.
The Journal of Great Lakes Research has posted a link to the paper on its website in advance of publishing it in its upcoming issue. The paper is also posted on Michigan State University’s website and is slated to be a chapter in a forthcoming book published by the university.
The paper substantiates PRN’s position that permanent, physical separation is the only viable, long-term solution to the threat posed by Asian carp and dozens of other high-risk invasive species.
