No Traces of Asian Carp Detected in Kalamazoo River: DNR

Michigan's Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday that no traces of Asian carp were detected in the water samples collected from the Kalamazoo River this summer.

The DNR analyzed 200 water samples collected from the lake Michigan tributary-the Kalamazoo River for the Asian carp genetic material as part of an extensive monitoring effort in the Great Lake tributaries by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Asian carp is an invasive species native to China.

They looked for traces of environmental DNA (eDNA) either from silver carp or bighead carp. But on analysis they confirmed that none of the water samples had any traces.

The process kick started early this year when biologists from DNR and other Great Lakes agencies met with the USFWS to discuss and coordinate river locations in order to collect the water samples that would be used for testing the presence of genetic material or eDNA, according to a news release.

"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," said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter "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."

Apart from this, the state agency informed  boaters and anglers to report any sighting of the fish. They also plan on carrying further tests in other tributaries.

Due to their large size, rapid reproduction rate and massive appetite, Asian carps pose a great threat to the lakes and consume a great number of phytoplankton's. They compete with the native fishes for habitat and they have slowly become the dominant species in a few areas.