Invasive Asian Carp Hooked in Lake Erie

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, confirm that a single live Grass Carp has been caught near Dunnville, Ontario in the Grand River, near Lake Erie This specimen follows an earlier catch of a grass carp on April 27, 2013 in the same area. Testing has confirmed that this specimen was sterile; and, therefore, not able to reproduce.

Biologists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada found the grass carp while conducting monitoring for Asian carps in the Grand River. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources performed biological sampling on the specimen and samples were sent for testing. The Whitney Genetics Laboratory at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in La Crosse, Wisconsin has confirmed the fish is sterile.

“Our continued vigilance against all species of Asian carp is critical to ensure that our Great Lakes stay protected,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. “Due to our Asian Carp Sampling and Monitoring Program, we were able to target this area for a follow-up assessment, and our rapid response program was initiated immediately upon finding this latest grass carp. Our partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and our U.S. counterparts, continues to demonstrate the high value of sharing expertise and activities in our continuing efforts to prevent Asian carp from getting any foothold in our waters.”

The grass carp (caught on August 16, 2013) is 104 cm long (41 inches) and weighs 14 kg (31 pounds). Grass carp is one of four species of Asian carps, which are highly invasive and a significant threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem. The others include bighead, silver and black carps. All live Asian carp are banned in Ontario.

Sterilized grass carp are stocked in some places in North America to control aquatic plants. In the Lake Erie basin, several U.S. states allow stocking of grass carp if they are sterilized, making them unable to reproduce.