Canadian and U.S. officials are working to protect the Great Lakes from Asian carp.
Canada is making a $17.5 million contribution during the next five years to help keep the invasive species out of the lakes, and a bill introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.) also would seek to protect waters from the fish.
Asian carp are voracious feeders and if allowed to enter the Great Lakes they will quickly out-compete the forage base of valuable sportfish, such as walleye, trout and salmon, according to an NMMA statement.
Canada will work with the United States to develop an extensive early warning and monitoring system, according to a Canadian release.
“The Great Lakes are important to the economic and cultural makeup of Canadians who live and work on these waters. These lakes support both recreational and commercial fisheries and a way of life for our people,” said Keith Ashfield, Canada’s minister of fisheries and oceans.
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