Asian Carp Found 80 Miles From Lake Michigan

The Brandon Road Interbasin Project, designed to keep the invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes, was halted for review. After invasive fish were found in the Illinois River about 80 miles from Lake Michigan.

What Happens if Asian Carp Enter the Great Lakes?

If invasive Asian carp enter the Great Lakes, they could consume large amounts of plankton and vegetation, leaving less food for native fish like whitefish, rainbow trout, yellow perch, and walleye. This could also affect salmon indirectly because the fish salmon rely on for food depend on plankton.

A single adult Asian carp can consume up to 10% of its body weight in plankton each day. Growing up to 4 feet long and weighing as much as 100 pounds, and can easily outcompete smaller native species for food.

Read More: Asian Carp in Great Lakes? What Experts Say

An Asian carp invasion of the Great Lakes could devastate commercial and sport fishing, causing severe economic losses for businesses that depend on these industries.

New Fish Find Puts Asian Carp Project Back In Motion

WOOD TV8 reported that the White House halted the billion-dollar Brandon Road Interbasin Project in January for review. Asian carp were later found 80 miles from Lake Michigan in the Illinois River, marking the farthest upstream they have been recorded.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer reached out to President Donald Trump to discuss restarting the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, located just 27 miles from Lake Michigan and designed to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes.