Fish have historically been a subject of religion, human sustenance, sport, income and entertainment. But now, something is coming. Something we've never seen before. Cue the dramatic repetition of notes E and F in a blatant crescendo.
No, it's not the shark from Jaws. It's the more destructive, locally voracious Asian carp. Dun, dun, dun.
All theatrics aside, this invasive species does indeed demand as much apprehension and fear as the killer shark. Asian carp have been approaching the Great Lakes region for 30 years, swimming up the Mississippi from flooded fish farms in the South. These bad boys are now the bullies of our waterways, dominating the river systems in the Midwest. In parts of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, nine out of every 10 fish are Asian carp.
Invasive species dominate ecosystems and wreak havoc ecologically, economically and environmentally. Asian carp, which can grow up to 100 pounds and up to four feet long, are wiping out the bottom of the food chain and drowning out native fish like salmon, walleye and trout. They eat 20 percent of their body weight in plankton every day, decimating food sources. Carp are not predators, but they now proliferate twice a year and a single female can lay up to one million eggs daily. In other words, they're kicking fin and taking names.
Although not predators, Asian carp present a certain unique phenomenon for humans on the water. At the sound of boat motors, they fly out of the water, many times Sylvester Stallone-ing boaters right in the kisser. Getting smacked with one of these is comparable to an accelerating brick hitting your face, and according to the wildlife department, this problem is so severe that water-skiers on the Missouri River have abandoned the water entirely.
While some people may enjoy acting out X-games on our rivers and getting ""carped,"" the fish will pose a serious threat if they reach the Great Lakes. The only connection between the Mississippi and Lake Michigan are two canals in Chicago. Knowing this, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has tried to create a system to block the fish from the Great Lakes, but they have wasted time and money on an electrical system that doesn't work. This summer, a fisherman caught a 20-pound, three-foot carp beyond the electrical barriers, with Lake Michigan only a six-mile swim. Carp DNA has also been found in Lake Michigan.
The monster fish, if established in the Great Lakes, could wipe out native fish by devastating the food chain and in effect cripple sports and commercial fisheries, which is estimated by scientists to be a $7 billion industry. Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, part of the system that comprises one-fifth of the earth's freshwater supply, are important Wisconsin resources, and we are fighting back.
Wisconsin joined Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Ohio in a lawsuit filed against the Corps of Engineers and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, accusing them of creating a public nuisance by operating an environment where carp could access the lakes. The Great Lakes states are rightfully requesting Chicago close its canals and seal off the carp highway to hell.
""I am suing to protect the Great Lakes and to protect the Wisconsin jobs that depend on the health of the Great Lakes...the introduction of the Asian carp into Lake Michigan will irreversibly damage this important resource,"" said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. Gov. Doyle shares this mindset, spearheading Wisconsin's involvement with this issue. Following Tuesday's primaries, either Scott Walker or Tom Barrett will take over the governor's office, and we have to look sharp when it comes to carp. Walker is primarily concerned with gaming and fishing, but doesn't show the environmental pioneering and dedication that Barrett has demonstrated. So far, Barrett has articulated his commitment to protecting our water by being active in the Great Lakes Compact, making efforts to fight other invasive species and leading in the fight to keep Asian carp at bay.
Foot-dragging officials have prolonged the lawsuit, with judges questioning evidence of carp in Lake Michigan. Last Friday, three days of expert testimonies ended, and Judge Robert Dow scheduled oral arguments for sometime in October. During this time, the prolific, jumping, ravenous carp will make their way through the Chicago canals and potentially reach one of Wisconsin's most valuable resources.
There is no time to delay. Our environment, our economy and our way of life will rest in the fins of these monsters, unless Wisconsin and other Great Lakes States win the lawsuit to seal off Chicago canals. We need strong leadership and dedication to preserve our state in the fishy face of these enemies.
Melissa Grau is a sophomore majoring in journalism. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
