2. The Invasion of the Asian Carp: Silver and Bigheaded Carp in our Waters
Jesse Zastrow, Jerome Barner,
Zach Fournier, Eamon Harrity
April 14, 2010
ENSC 202
Professor: Stephanie Hurley

3. Hype U.S. Supreme Court may rule on Asian carp case
Environmental groups say plan to fight Asian carp not enough
Granholm calls Obama carp plan weak
Feds unveil $78.5M effort to blunt Lakes migration of carp
From The Detroit News: 
A lot of media attention… big wigs involved, politicians and money also very much involved.

4. What is the real deal?
With all the media hype we wanted to do some investigation of our own to better understand the real situation and if champlain is at any risk
“Asian carp are like cancer cells," said Cameron Davis, senior adviser with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "They can grow and spread very, very quickly and overtake other healthy living organisms."
-Belkin, D Wall Street Journal Nov

5. Problem Statement
The Silver and Bigheaded carp are invasive planktivorous fish that could have serious social, economic and ecological impacts on the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.

6. Basic Outline Introduction Findings Conclusions and Recommendations
Goals and Objectives
Findings
The Carp
The Great lake and Lake Champlain
Vectors of introduction
Preventative Measures
Conclusions and Recommendations

7. Goals Assess the risk posed by Asian carp to Great Lakes
How likely is it that they will make it to and survive in the Great Lakes?
Will they be able to migrate within the lakes?
What kind of impacts could they have on the lake system?
Ultimately, what is the likelihood that the carp will make it to Lake Champlain and what impacts could they have here.

8. Objectives Investigate the current status of the carp
Distribution, impacts on inhabited areas
Describe the life history of the carp
Familiarize ourselves with the characteristics of the lakes
Assess possible vectors and pathways into and between the lakes
Explore existing and potential prevention practices
Investigate potential economic, social and ecological impacts of these fish (conclusions)

9. Findings

10. Asian Carp Images from Kolar, 2005.
Figure 1: Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)
Figure 2: Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
Images from Kolar, 2005.

11. Asian Carp
Brought in to improve water quality and promote production in aquaculture ponds, reservoirs, and improve conditions in sewage pools primarily in Arkansas.
First introduced to US from private fish farmers in Arkansas (1972 – bighead, 1973 – Silver) for aquaculture pond clean up, later used in federal, state, and private facilities then municipal water management ponds.
Silver Carp have been recorded in 12 states, and Bighead at least 18 states.
Introduced to waters from dumping of bait fish, flooding of stocked ponds, illegal stocking of reservoirs & lakes etc.

12. Asian Carp Introduction cont’d
Figure 4: Range of Bighead Carp in the US, as of August, 2009 (1Fuller, 2009).
Figure 3: Range of Silver Carp in the US, as of August, 2009 (2Fuller, 2009).

13. Asian Carp Native Distribution
Figure 5: Native range of Bighead Carp, mainly large rivers and lakes of southeastern Asia; eastern China, eastern Siberia, and the extreme northern range of North Korea (Kolar et al., 2005)
Figure 6: Native range of Silver Carp, mainly large rivers and lakes of eastern China and eastern Russia that run into the Pacific Ocean (Kolar et al., 2005)
Occur in freshwaters including rivers and lakes in their native China.
Needs fast-moving water (rivers) for spawning, otherwise prefers slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, and flooded backwaters

14. Asian Carp
Habitat
Has been introduced to reservoirs, canals, man-made ponds and lakes, etc. where they do well.
Spawn in spring, tributary use highest in winter according to a study by DCC on the Missouri River.
Table 1: Data collected in the US in 2004, depicting rivers and habitats of juvenille Bighead and Silver Carp. Table from (Kolar et al., 2005), author cited contacts as the field biologists who provided the data.

15. Asian Carp Temperature
Very temperature tolerant; Adult Asian Carp have been shown to survive in temperatures ranging 2°C to 40°C.
A variety of sources document varying optimal temperature ranges, most fall between 20 and 30°C.
Temperature fluctuations not necessary for reproduction although it is characteristic of their native range.
Reproductive Biology
Fecundity increases with body size and weight.
Many ranges of Asian Carp reproduction success, from 280,000 to 1,860,800 per Bighead female and 145,000 to 5,000,000 per Silver female, varying from location and study.
Fecundity of Bighead Carp from the lower Missouri River collected in ranged from 11,588 to 769,964, with an average of 226,213 eggs (Schrank and Guy 2002).
A study of 6 Silver Carp in the Mississippi River in 2003 showed a range of total fecundity as 57,283 to 328,538 eggs.

16. Asian Carp Feeding Habits
Table 2: Comparison of feeding habits between Bighead carp and Silver carp (Kolar et al., 2005).

17. Asian Carp They consume 7-14% of their body weight in food.
Feeding
They consume 7-14% of their body weight in food.
Bighead carp has been shown to prefer Daphnia (Cooke et al., 2009).
Asian carp have been shown to consume different ratios of zooplankton and phytoplankton based on life stage and abundance of plankton.
Bighead carp revert to phytoplankton when zooplankton levels are low, mainly blue-green algae, diatoms, and green algae.
Extremely adaptive feeding habits, change natural zooplankton and phytoplankton composition and feed on detritus if necessary.
Bighead carp primarily zooplanktivores, less specialized than Silver.
Adult Silver carp primarily feed on phytoplankton, larvae on zooplankton. Gill rakers capable of straining phytoplankton down to 4 um in diameter (Chen et al., 2007).

18. Asian Carp Outcompeting native fish for food
Potential Impact on Recreation/Fishing Industry
Outcompeting native fish for food
Concern for native filter feeding fish like Paddlefish, Bigmouth Buffalo, and Gizzard Shad, as well as many other fish with overlapping food requirements.
Fishermen overwhelmed with amount of carp, cannot catch anything else.
Carp jumping, hitting fishermen, boaters, tubers, etc. DANGEROUS!
The Great Lakes contribute $7 billion to the economy through commercial and sport • fishing, and an additional $8 to $10 billion through recreational boating (FWS 2009).
Jumping Carp

19. Physical Characteristics of each Lake of Concern
Lake Characteristics
Lake Champlain
Lake Michigan
Lake Erie
Length
120 miles
307 miles
241 miles
Width
12 miles
118 miles
57 miles
Average Depth
64 feet
279 feet
62 feet
Drainage Area
8,234 square miles
45,000 square miles
30,140 square miles
Surface Area
435 square miles
22,300 square miles
9,910 square miles
We focused on these lakes because they seem to be the most likely for invasion

20. Ecological Status of the Great Lakes Region
The Great Lakes ecosystem is the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world.
The Great Lakes ecosystem is an extensive watershed (288,000 square miles) with 5,000 tributaries and 9,000 miles of shoreline.
Important sport fish in the ecosystem include: Lake trout, Brook trout, Lake sturgeon, Yellow perch, Lake whitefish, Muskellunge, Walleye , Chinook salmon, and Coho salmon
US FWS Midwest Region Hot topic: Asian Carp

21. Ecological Status of the Great Lakes Region
Significantly degraded over the past few decades due to human use and influx of invasive species
Invasive plants, fish, invertebrates, and macrophytes have devastated native population
180+ Invasive species currently inhabiting the Lakes (Modley, 2010)
Asian Carp- another potential stressor to the aquatic ecosystem
In the Mississippi River System they outcompete the native fish such as bigmouth buffalo, gizzard shad, and paddlefish for the phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass

22. General aquatic food web may be used to predict the potential impacts of the Asian carp on the ecological system of the lakes.

23. Eutrophic Conditions of Lake Michigan and Lake Erie
Values ranging from indicate oligotrophic conditions; values from indicate mesotrophic conditions (shaded area); values above 1.0 indicate eutrophic conditions. Data points represent average of triplicate samples taken at each sampling site. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2006)

24. Zooplankton Densities in Lake Champlain
Missisquoi Bay
St. Albans Bay
Cumberland Bay
The net zooplankton density of the thousands of organisms per square meter in Lake Champlain sampled throughout the 15 stations.

25. Potential Pathways Chicago Shipping and Sanitary Canal
Des Plaines River
Overland flooding
Other canals
Human facilitated introduction
(Modley, Personal communication 2010; Daniels, R 2000; Hill, W 2008; FWS 2010; Cooke et al. 2009)

26. Chicago Shipping and Sanitary Canal
A stretch of man made canal

27. CSSC
A man-made canal, constructed in the early 1900s as a sewage drain
It is the only shipping link between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River System
Currently it is 28 miles long 202 ft wide and 22 ft deep.
28 miles long 202 ft wide, 22 ft deep.

28. Des Plaines River
Flooding greatly increases this fish’s mobility and may pose as a serious complication to any prevention measure
Modley 2010, FWS 2010
Flooding could carry carp over land past the electronic barrier and render the installment useless

29. OOPS! Accidental Introduction
The Great Lakes have around 184 known invasive species and quite a few have been traced back to the ballast waters of cargo ships.
Rainbow Smelt, Fishhook water Flea, Fourspine Stickleback
Grass carp still shipped around the country for plankton control in aquaculture ponds
For all your carp stocking needs!
Looking at the literature, it seems the poly-carp stocking practice has declined significantly since the early 2000’s
50,000 invasives in the USA 65% of invasives in the laurentian lakes introduced via ballast waters.
Ricciardi, 2006; u/~agexten/aquaculture/Pondweed.pdf

30. Human Facilitated Introduction
Bait Fish
Awaiting response from local baitfish shops
Alewife believed to have been introduced as a bait fish on accident
Culinary market
They are a staple food in their native range and are slowly gaining popularity here
Bigheaded carp is shipped live as a specialty food item
As small markets develop so does the movement of this carp
“We shouldn't be trying to eradicate it; it's too late for that. We should be eating it.” Steve Mcnitt- Schafer Fisheries in Thomson, Ill (Los Angeles Times, Jan )

31. New York State Canal System
A valid point to bring up is the separation of the lakes

32. NYSCS
524 miles of canals connecting Lake Erie to the finger lakes, Hudson River and Lake Champlain
12 ft deep in most places
Warm, nutrient rich waters that support thriving sport fish populations
Small and Large mouth bass, walleye, panfish northern pike, blueback herring and coho salmon

33. Champlain Canal 60 miles of shallow nutrient rich water
As many as 12 invasive species including zebra mussels and white perch thought to have arrived through this canal
Shipping traffic much lower than in the past, mostly for recreational use now
Modley (2010) believes that the carp would be more than capable of migrating up this canal into Lake Champlain
Chambly canal connects lake champ with

34. Asian Carp Preventative Measures Overview
Current Preventative Measures
CSSC Underwater Electric Barrier
eDNA Sampling
Rapid Response Plan
Electrofishing/Netting/Targeted Removal
Alternative Preventative Measures
Physical Controls
Biological/Chemical Controls
Social Controls

35. Current Preventative Measures

36. CSSC Underwater Electric Barrier
Only dispersal barrier between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River basin
Structure: - steel cables with electrodes on either end
non-lethal, gradual electric field created underwater
uncomfortable for fish to pass (USACE 2007)

37. CSSC Underwater Electric Barrier Cont’d
Two barrier system
Barrier I (demonstration)
1 Volts/Inch, pulsing 5Hz every 4ms
NANPCA, completed April 2002,
temporary
Stretches 54 feet of canal (USACE 2009)
Barrier II
Barrier II-A
2 Volts/Inch, pulsing 15 Hz
every 6.5 ms
1300ft downstream Barrier I
Completed April 2008,
permanent (Asian Carp Working
Group 2010)
Barrier II-B
Same operating capacity as II-A
800 ft downstream Barrier I
Slated for completion October 2010 (Asian Carp Working Group 2010)

38. CSSC Underwater Electric Barrier Cont’d
Effectiveness Cost Time-Scale
Dependant upon: Barrier I : $4 million (2007) completed April 2002
Current velocity Barrier II : project ceiling II A: completed 04/2008
Water Temperature $16 million (2007) IIB: slated completion
Conductivity (USACE 2009) 08/2010
( Dettmers et al. 2009)
Carp life stage (juvenile?)
(Brammeier et al 2008)
Electric Barrier shown
to be ~ 90-99% effective
( Brammeir et al. 2008)
- MDNR study in 2004 found
electric barrier + acoustic bubbler
to be ~ 83 % effective
HIGH UNCERTAINTY

39. eDNA Sampling
Developed at U. of Notre Dame, current method of Carp detection (USACE 2009)
Examines local water samples for traces of carp DNA
Mucoidal secretions
Feces / urine
Tissue
Presence/Non-presence determined by identified genetic marker (Lodge 2010)
Effectiveness:
Greater ease of detection
Does not account for specimen life history traits, quantity present, or exact location (Lodge 2010)
Cost:
Current total: $2,600,000
Future Estimates: $940,000
(Asian Carp Working Group 2010)
Figure: Two sites depicting positive detections, Site A is the Brandon Road pool, Site B is near power plant in Dresden Island pool

40. Rapid Response Program
“We believe it is still critical to support and defend the electric barrier while it is down for maintenance,” said IDNR Assistant Director John Rogner. “The barrier remains our most effective weapon against this very aggressive invasive species” (IDNR 2009).

41. Rapid Response Program cont’d
Maintenance on barriers required every 4-6 months, barriers are turned off (USFWS 2010)
Rapid Response Program implemented during these maintenance periods
Program consists of dumping piscicide into CSSC to eliminate all biota (Asian Carp Working Group 2010)
Rotenone chosen by EPA as most effective means to eliminate Asian carp
Derived from roots of tropical/sub tropical plants
Inhibits biochemical processes at cellular level
No fish is immune => death (US EPA 2007)

42. Rapid Response Program cont’d
Effectiveness:
Studies show 65-95% effective in killing target species (Brammeier et al. 2008)
Rapid Response implemented in December 2009 in CSSC yielded over 90 tons of dead fish, including one Asian carp (Hood 2009)
Cost
Cost of Rotenone very high, $1 / acre foot
December 2009 application: 2,200 gallons dumped into CSSC over three day = $3 million (Hood 2009)
Timescale
Rotenone degrades rapidly , ceasing to affect fish after a few hours, becomes non-toxic after 4-6 weeks
(US EPA 2008)
Application of Rotenone in accordance with routine maintenance schedules

43. Electro-fishing/ Netting/ Targeted Removal
In accordance with Asian Carp Working Group Control Strategy Framework (Feb. 2010)
Utilizes current eDNA sampling methods
Data reveals carp hotspots above barrier system where carp have been positively identified
Warm water discharges
Wastewater treatment plant outfalls
Tail waters of locks and dams
Marina basins
Barge Slips
Other slack water areas
Within target areas, fish are concentrated to a confined area (electro-fishing, acoustics, nets)
Removed via application of Rotenone (Asian Carp Working Group 2010)

44. Electro-fishing/ Netting/ Targeted Removal
Effectiveness:
Proven to be effective method to eradicate fish in given area
Control study by IDNR downstream of barrier system yielded Asian carp in eDNA identified area (MDNR et al. 2010)
Likelihood of success directly linked to expedience of eDNA sample analyzation, fish are mobile
Speeding up eDNA methods critical to effectvie removal!
Cost
Estimated cost for implementation of this program (~April 2010) : $2 million (Asian Carp Working Group 2010)

45. Alternative Preventative Measures

46. Physical Methods Physical Barriers Vertical Drop Barrier
Hydraulic drop greater than carp leaping ability (~10 ft)
Dams, feasible in small tributaries => % effective (Brammeier et al. 2007)
Rotating Drum Screens
Drums set in-stream on a cable
Continually turn, allow passage of fine debris but not carp ( MDNR et al. 2004)
Small scale, % effective
Floating Curtains
Floating curtain attached to pilings across water body
Allows fine debris to pass; small scale => % effective (MDNR et al. 2004)
High Velocity Structures
Concentrated areas of high velocity
Flat aprons in dam spillways, velocity faster than carp swimming speed
Highly effective, small scale (MDNR et al. 2004)

47. Physical Methods cont’d
Bubble Curtains
Perforated tube laid across bottom of channel,
compressed air pumped through creating wall of bubbles
50-95% effective
Construction and operating costs: $0.5-1 million
Strobe Lights
Most effective when utilized in concert with other deterrents
(bubble curtains, acoustic deflections)
60-95% effective in eel study
(MDNR et al. 2004)
Cost: $0.5-1 million, but only to be used at
channel entrances (Brammeier et al. 2007)
(MDNR et al. 2004)

48. Physical Methods cont’d
Acoustic Deterrents
Sound Projector Array
Electronic signal generator, several powerful amplifiers, under water array of sound projectors (MDNR et al. 2004)
80% effective, estimated cost $1 million (Brammeier et al. 2007)
Acoustic field not highly concentrated, effective for blocking river intakes
Uncertainty in optimal operating range to maximize effectiveness (life stage) (MDNR et al. 2004)
Bio-acoustic Fish Fence
Combined concentrated acoustic field and bubble curtain
Electromagnetic/pneumonic sound transducer coupled to bubble sheet generator
Multi-faceted carp barrier
90% effective; cost: $1.2 million (MDNR et al. 2004)
Hybrid Systems
System incorporating SPA with bubble curtain being developed
Allow direct modification of signal to target Asian carp (MDNR et al. 2004)

49. Figure: SPA system
(MDNR et al. 2004)

50. Figure: Bio-acoustic Fish Fence System
(MDNR et al. 2004)

51. Physical Methods cont’d
Modified Structural Operations
Modified Lock Operations
100% certainty that carp have not passed
electro-barrier not attained
Modifying lock operations adjacent to
Lake Michigan as prevention
Proposed actions include: no action, close every week, close one week/month, close every other week
Effectiveness not known, impact to shipping may be significant (Asian Carp Working Group 2010)
Modified Bank Fortifications
Des Plaines River and I&M Canal directly adjacent to CSSC, overland of waters between water bodies during storm events
Propose modified bank fortifications to stop water body transfer
Concrete barriers
Chain link fencing
High priority flooding zones identified for these structures, ~13.5 mile stretch of CSSC
High cost: $13,200,000; permanent concrete structures effective in stopping overland flow, chain link fence uncertain (juveniles) (Asian Carp Working Group 2010)

52. Figure: Des Plaines River overflow above dispersal barriers
(USACE 2010)

53. Biological/Chemical Controls
Rotenone, non-discriminate, large scale
Current technology not yet developed carp-specific chemical (Asian Carp Working Group 2010)
Biological
Relatively unknown, currently being researched
Research: effect of variable acoustics, electric fields, and light modifications
Goal to disrupt spawning activities (Asian Carp Working Group 2010)

54. Social Controls Prevent Direct/Indirect Introduction Market controls
Prohibit live sale (Lacey Act)
Educational Programs
Social awareness (Stop Asian Carp!)
Market controls
Open American fishing markets to carp, commodity product
Create incentives for harvest (Asian Carp Working Group 2010)

56. Conclusions Will they make it into the Great Lakes?
YES
Economic interest, political turmoil
Proximity to Great Lakes
High level of uncertainty
Will they survive in the Lakes?
Eutrophic Conditions of bays, inlets, slack water areas, and stream entry points
Life histrory of carp
Mobility, omniplanktivores, adaptability
Whole lake model might not be applicable.
Cooke et al paper plankton densities.

57. Conclusions Will they get to Lake Champlain?
Colonization is likely but…
Geographic expanse
Effectiveness of preventative measures

58. http://www.lcbp.org/PDFs/SOL2008-web.pdf Missisquoi Bay St. Albans Bay
Burlington Bay
Shelburne Bay
They are known to eat blue green algae

59. Conclusions Impacts Serious Ecological Impacts Economic Impacts
Disrupt natural food web (Cooke et al. 2009… already detrimental to native planktivores in the Mississippi)
No natural predators
Ability to shift diet with plankton composition
Rapid Expansion
Large size and rapid growth rate
Economic Impacts
Damage Fisheries
Mississippi River and Missouri River Systems have lost numerous fisheries
Social Impacts
Loss of recreational value of waterways
Loss of historic, traditional fishing areas
Aesthetic value

60. PREVENTION is the best method!
Recommendations
PREVENTION is the best method!

61. Recommendations Strengthen current preventative measures
Increase public awareness!
Establish viable market for Asian carp
Fund habitat suitability research
Complete assessment
of Great Lakes
vulnerability

62. Recommendations cont’d Preventive Measures
Complete construction of Barrier II-B by October 2010, upgrade Barrier I to permanent status
Research techniques to enhance eDNA techniques, increase capacity
Strengthen current Rapid Response Programs
- Heightened monitoring, contingency plans
Continue target electro fishing/netting
Implement bank fortifications to separate CSSC, Des Plaines River, and I&M Canal
Modify lock operations on a weekly basis (preventative)
Utilize integrated alternative prevention measures at channel openings upstream of electric barriers (preventative)
Hybrid acoustic/bubble systems, small scale physical barriers

63. PREVENTION is the best method!!!!
Questions?
Players: Invasive Silver and Bigheaded carp
Problem: They possess the ability to disrupt the natural food web and cause significant social, economic, and ecological impacts
Goal: Investigate likelihood that the
asian carp will actually spread and
have serious impacts
What we conclude: Yes, the carp
will reach the Great Lakes and
possibly Lake Champlain
Too many uncertainties to be sure
Recommendations:
PREVENTION is the best method!!!!

64. Citations
Chen, P., Wiley, E. O., Mcnyset K. M. (2007). Ecological niche modeling as a predictive tool: silver and bighead carps in North America. Biol Invasions, 9(43-51), DOI: /s x
Cooke, L.S., Hill, R.W., & Meyer, P. K. (2009) Feeding at different plankton densities alters invasive bighead carp (Hypophthalmychthys nobilis) growth and zooplankton species composition Hydrobiologia, 625( ). doi: /s y
1Fuller, P. (2009). From NAS – Nonindigenous Aquatic Species, Bighead Carp. USGS. Retrieved from
2Fuller, P. (2009). From NAS – Nonindigenous Aquatic Species, Silver Carp. USGS. Retrieved from
Huang, D., Liu, J., & Hu, C. (2001). Fish resources in Chinese reservoirs and their utilisation. Abstract retrieved from
Kolar, C. S., Chapman, D.C., Courteney, Jr. W. R., Housel, C. M., Williams, J. D., & Jennings, D. P. (2005). Asian Carps of the Genus Hypophthalmichthys (Pisces, Cyprinidae) ― A Biological Synopsis and Environmental Risk Assessment.