Michigan's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced Thursday that the Kalamazoo River, a Lake Michigan tributary, does not carry any traces of the pesky Asian carp, an invasive species native to China.
In all, the DNR collected 200 water samples from the river, each of which were analyzed as part of a larger survey designed to identify the presence of environmental DNA (eDNA) from bighead carp or silver carp throughout the Great Lakes' tributaries.
The effort began earlier this year when biologists from the DNR and other Great Lakes agencies met with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in order to harmonize efforts, including identifying priority river locations from which to collect sample water.
"We appreciate the coordination and resources made available by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this early monitoring and detection effort," DNR Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter said in a statement. "Traditional fish sampling that uses electrofishing or netting is inefficient at collecting fish that are in low numbers. These eDNA efforts allow us to be strategic about collecting information and focusing further monitoring or control efforts if needed."
Capable of multiplying at amazing rates and known to hog the resource where they are found, Asian carp act as something like a weed when it comes to preserving the country's fragile freshwater ecosystems. What's more, a study published back in March suggests they are capable of spawning in waters once thought to be too narrow or slow moving. The same study also found that spawning season for the fish may last much longer and tolerate colder waters than previously believed.
While wildlife officials plan on continuing to run tests on other tributaries, they stress that detecting and thus eradicating the pest is a responsibility best shared.
"We need the people who are on the water and the anglers who fish Michigan's waters to be our eyes and ears across the landscape," DNR Water Policy Advisor Tammy Newcomb said. "These individuals should be observant and report fish they believe are Asian carp."