Written testimony before Congress on February 9th  by Great Lakes Fishery Commission Chair Mike Hanson “The Great Lakes Fishery Commission” has more than 50 years experience controlling the invasive sea lamprey”

Written Testimony to Congress on Asian Carp

Video of the testimony

Governors of five Great Lake’s state met with President Barack Obama’s administration to work out a plan to prevent Asian Carp from reaching Lake Michigan, which would allow their movement into the other Great Lakes.

The Army Corp and other agencies are doing a great deal of testing and scientific work throughout the region and have committed significant resources in the $75-80 million range.

Although the governors and federal officials found many common solutions they could not convince officials to close navigational locks which lead into Lake Michigan but left the summit with this option is still on the table.

Officials hope to have a final report by next month, which will provide more information about the navigational locks.

Although all admit that closure of the locks is not the single answer to this by any means. The navigational locks were not built as fish barriers, so closing them will not necessarily prevent the carp from reaching the Great Lakes.

Illinois Governor Flynn said shipping from Chicago would have to be rerouted at currently undetermined costs if the navigational locks are closed.

The summit was a first step to convince the administration is that the long-term effects of allowing the carp are irreversible,” he said. “The effects of closing the locks and moving some of that shipping to rail and truck are not.”

Please join with us and sign the petition at http://www.stopasiancarp.com

ENERGY AND WATER” BILL TO BRING SIGNIFICANT HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GREAT LAKES

Congress provides, and the president accepts, additional funds for the “Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Program”

ANN ARBOR, MI—The Great Lakes Fishery Commission today commended Congress and the president on the passage and signing into law of the fiscal 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, legislation that funds essential water projects throughout the United States. The bill, signed October 28th, 2009, includes $2.4 million for the Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Program (GLFER), a program authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to partner with state and local agencies or private groups to implement projects that protect and restore habitat, fisheries, and the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The Great Lakes comprise…

Detroit River – Walleye were caught in 8 to 16 feet of water in the lower Trenton Channel between the bridges. Try jigs with minnows or worms or handlining with rapalas. Some perch were caught off the seawall near Gibraltar. Shore anglers have caught bluegills, perch and crappie.

Yellow perch were caught along the edge of the channel at the Metro Park Marina when using shiner minnows on perch rigs. A few perch were caught near the mouth of the Huron River in 6 to 12 feet of water and off Stony Point in 20 feet of water. Those shore fishing caught a few perch at the Erie Metro Park launch.