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FeedAsian carp DNA found in Lake Erie
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Columbus - Federal and state wildlife officials working in conjunction with academic researchers announced six water samples taken from Sandusky and north Maumee bays tested positive for the presence of Asian carp environmental DNA in Michigan and Ohio waters of Lake Erie.
The positive samples were among 417 taken from Lake Erie in August 2011, and more than 2,000 samples taken from the Great Lakes Basin since 2010. The Lake Erie batch was recently analyzed and test results were confirmed by eDNA researchers. The six positive samples represent less than 1.5 percent of the Lake Erie samples.
Four samples from Sandusky Bay, in Ohio waters, tested positive for bighead carp eDNA, while two samples from north Maumee Bay, in Michigan waters, were positive for silver carp eDNA.
In response to these findings, electro-shocking and netting began last week in Sandusky Bay with no evidence of Asian carp found. However, additional testing and monitoring are planned by the Ohio and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources in conjunction with partner agencies.
It was only a matter of time before this happened, according to Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries authorities. Asian carp are already well established in the Ohio River basin.
For much more on this topic, be sure to read the Aug. 17 edition of Ohio Outdoor News when we'll provide a status update on the advance of Asian carp.
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