Two silver carp on the Mississippi River in Missouri. (Photo : Sara Tripp/Missouri Department of Conservation)
Biologists are now concerned as Asian carp are now threatening Lake Erie's ecosystems. New research suggests that this invasive fish species can threaten as much as one third of the lake's total fish populations that can cause massive fish declines including the prized sport fish known as walleye.
These invasive species that includes bighead and silver carp were imports from southern United States originally from Asia, that began decades ago where the fish have migrated and established their populations up north through the Mississippi River. Ever since then, the fish are now dwelling in watersheds close to the Great Lakes but not inside the lakes themselves according to researchers.
However, their arrival can disrupt the natural balance of the lake's ecosystems, increasing food competition as they will also feed on tiny plants and animals that other native fish consume as well. Apart from the walleye, other fish that can be severely affected are rainbow trout, gizzard shad and emerald shiners, according to this new study.
It is estimated that Asian carp can make up as much as 34 percent of the overall mass of fish that are dwelling inside Lake Erie according to researchers from the University of Michigan.
According to Hyong Zhang from the School of Natural Resources and Environment of the University of Michigan, this percentage will not become as high as the Illinois River where Asian carp already changed its ecosystems including human use of the river.
Prior research also predicts that the impact of Asian carp on the Great Lakes is estimated to be minor since waters are not ideal for the carp to thrive.
According to co-author of the study, Doran Mason of the University of Michigan, it is still unknown as how two species of Asian carp will fare in Lake Erie which will be crucial to current projection models of this study.
Apart from this, this invasive species can be good for the smallmouth bass as they feed upon smaller carp. Researchers also believe that smallmouth bass including other native fish species can feed on juvenile carp that can eventually lead to population increases.
The new study is published in the journal, Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.
