According to the USGS, silver carp were imported into the United States and stocked for phytoplankton control in eutrophic water bodies and as a food fish.

Photo: A. Muir/GLFC

The quest to find and fund effective methods for stopping the invasion of Asian carp into Minnesota is progressing on several fronts:

• The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has initiated another round of environmental DNA or "eDNA" testing in the St. Croix, Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, and is moving ahead with an inter-agency task force to finalize and implement an action plan.
• The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council recommended $3 million in state Legacy funds to study and fund a sonic/bubble barrier at the mouth of the St. Croix.
• Members of Minnesota's congressional delegation are asking questions and planning tours of the river locks.
• Minneapolis's elected leaders are putting a sharper focus on their plans to close the Upper Harbor Terminal to bring new parks and redevelopment to the Mississippi riverfront.

Asian carp forum

October 25th, 5:00-7:00 p.m., John Anfinson of the National Park Service (and an FMR board member) will lead an engaging presentation and panel discussion about the invasive carp's negative impact on the ecological, recreational and economic health of the Mississippi River and its watershed. This is a great opportunity to learn about the looming Asian carp invasion, dive into some of the details and even weigh in on controversial proposals like closing the locks in Minneapolis.

The presentation, an Upper River Forum, focus on potential strategies to slow or stop the spread of Asian carp, including the possibility of closing Lock #1 and the Upper Lock at St. Anthony. A Q&A session with a panel of river management and policy experts will follow. Panelists will include representatives from the Upper Mississippi Waterway Association, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota DNR, Audubon Minnesota and the National Park Service.

For details and directions, please see the Asian carp forum event page.

FMR is keeping a close eye on this important issue. Watch for updates in Mississippi Messages on forthcoming eDNA test results, action plan efforts and the emerging coalition of non-profit organizations advocating to protect Minnesota's waters from Asian carp.

For more information on the upcoming forum or on this issue in general, please contact Irene Jones, FMR's River Corridor Program Director at 651-222-2193 ext. 11 or through our contact form.

Carp coverage

In the news:

• "Port of Minneapolis: Another carp victim?" by Eric Roper, Star Tribune, October 8, 2011
• "Will invading carp end Minneapolis’s days as river port?" by Mike Mosedale, Finance and Commerce, September 22, 2011
• "Minnesota battles Asian carp," by Tom Landwehr, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner, commentary, Star Tribune, September 27, 2011
• "Lessard-Sams Council casts $3 million vote for carp barrier" by Mike Kazuba, Star Tribune, September 20, 2011
• "Illinois DNR hires chef to show how tasty Asian carp can be" by Dan Egan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/twincities.com, September 21, 2011

FMR carp updates:

• Gov. Dayton steps up to stop Asian carp," September 20, 2011
• "Wake up call: Asian carp detected in Twin Cities, August 15, 2011