I am going to focus on Asian Carp for the majority of this post. I am also choosing to touch on multiple examples of the how laws, regulations, policies, etc. have influenced the ongoing debates and concerns over these well known invasive fish. It is rather necessary to discuss a handful of factors that contributed (or contribute) to the very real threats our Great Lakes are facing, especially given the Bighead and silver carp were imported to the U.S. in the early 1970s. It is safe to say that all of these implications didn't occur over night.
As with most environmental dilemmas, there are typically other issues that end up overlapping (such as economics), thus resulting in disagreements and either insufficient, untimely, or improper action. I will discuss this in more detail shortly.
As with most environmental dilemmas, there are typically other issues that end up overlapping (such as economics), thus resulting in disagreements and either insufficient, untimely, or improper action. I will discuss this in more detail shortly.
Before I continue, I would like to mention that from the research I have done on laws and policies in relation to invasive species in general, but particularly Asian Carp, there seems to be major issues with effective laws/decisions/agreements at both regional and national levels in this country.
For example, we can start with The Lacey Act, which was passed by Congress in 1900. The initial goal of this Act was to prohibit any foreign wild animals or birds into the country without a permit.
Not surprisingly, the Act was modified over the years. Below is a nice little chart that puts into perspective the progression of the invasion of the Asian Carp under The Lacey Act.
Not surprisingly, the Act was modified over the years. Below is a nice little chart that puts into perspective the progression of the invasion of the Asian Carp under The Lacey Act.
A clear issue with The Lacey Act was that many of the injurious taxa that were acknowledged on the list had already been present in the U.S. and most continued to spread on. The Act was created to prevent the import and export of species, but uh yeah, if these species are already established it is not going to be any simple task to hinder their growth/movement.
In case you weren't familiar with the word in this context, Under The Lacey Act, an injurious wildlife listing means the species has
been demonstrated to be harmful to either the health and welfare of
humans, interests of forestry, agriculture, horticulture, or the
welfare and survival of wildlife or the resources that wildlife depend
upon.
The Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act (signed by Obama on December 14th, 2010)-Amends the Lacey Act to add the Bighead carp to the list of injurious species that are prohibited from being shipped or imported into the United States.
Aside from some minor gestures from government, I have not been able to find any actual laws that address what the next crucial step(s) will be to prevent a seemingly possible Asian Carp invasion in the Great Lakes. I sense frustration in the articles I read because there are actual options to prevent the carp from getting into the lakes.
"Current state and federal strategies to prevent an Asian carp invasion center on the use of electric barriers. A December 2013 federal study concluded that there was “no evidence that Asian carp are bypassing the barriers.” However, that same study warned of evidence that shows the use of electric fields in the water doesn’t always stop the movement of fish.
A 2012 bi-national study found that, if Asian carp were to enter the Great Lakes system, they would likely spread to all five lakes within a decade and have a severe ecological impact."
The region needs to come together on an action plan,” Eder says.
( http://www.csgmidwest.org/policyresearch/0214Asiancarp.aspx)
The big reason nothing is moving forward is due to the Chicago Area Waterway Systems.
I think the chart below puts some rather complicated options into a little more perspective. Overall, it is very clear that agreements need to be made and control needs to be taken in order to maintain our lakes.
Sources
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/news/369.html
http://www.csgmidwest.org/policyresearch/0214Asiancarp.aspx
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/the_lacey_act_failed_to_keep_asian_carp_out_can_new_bills_before_congress_d
The Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act (signed by Obama on December 14th, 2010)-Amends the Lacey Act to add the Bighead carp to the list of injurious species that are prohibited from being shipped or imported into the United States.
A simple, informative website about Asian Carp from the Wisconsin DNR:
Aside from some minor gestures from government, I have not been able to find any actual laws that address what the next crucial step(s) will be to prevent a seemingly possible Asian Carp invasion in the Great Lakes. I sense frustration in the articles I read because there are actual options to prevent the carp from getting into the lakes.
"Current state and federal strategies to prevent an Asian carp invasion center on the use of electric barriers. A December 2013 federal study concluded that there was “no evidence that Asian carp are bypassing the barriers.” However, that same study warned of evidence that shows the use of electric fields in the water doesn’t always stop the movement of fish.
A 2012 bi-national study found that, if Asian carp were to enter the Great Lakes system, they would likely spread to all five lakes within a decade and have a severe ecological impact."
The region needs to come together on an action plan,” Eder says.
( http://www.csgmidwest.org/policyresearch/0214Asiancarp.aspx)
The big reason nothing is moving forward is due to the Chicago Area Waterway Systems.
I think the chart below puts some rather complicated options into a little more perspective. Overall, it is very clear that agreements need to be made and control needs to be taken in order to maintain our lakes.
Sources
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/news/369.html
http://www.csgmidwest.org/policyresearch/0214Asiancarp.aspx
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/the_lacey_act_failed_to_keep_asian_carp_out_can_new_bills_before_congress_d
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