Lake Erie Asian Carp Response Exercise: A Collaborative Approach for Responding to Aquatic Invasive Species in the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are influenced by established aquatic invasive species (AIS) and the threat of new invaders persists. Asian carp are a group of AIS that have received much attention in the Great Lakes because of their negative impacts and potential to spread. Grass carp, a species of Asian carp, are considered to cause less substantial impacts than bighead and silver carps. However, recent evidence suggests that Grass Carp natural recruitment has occurred in Lake Erie. Additional reports of Grass Carp from commercial fishermen have elevated the concern in Lake Erie. To address these concerns, the Michigan and Ohio DNRs led a three day multi-agency response exercise with goals to use a collaborative multi-agency approach to increase staff preparedness on Asian carp sampling methodologies and to increase the information base of Grass Carp population demographics in western Lake Erie. The Council of Great Lakes Governors Mutual Aid Agreement was exercised and multiple agencies, universities and a commercial fisherman participated in this response exercise focused in Michigan waters of Lake Erie. The three day exercise resulted in the capture of two Grass Carp. This exercise provides a response framework that can be utilized for future AIS responses within the basin.