Friday, December 17, 2010

New Attack on Asian Carp

A new attack against Asian carp has been established with more tracking and monitoring using environmental DNA and developing new methods to slow the invasive species' movement toward the Great Lakes. Environmental DNA, also called eDNA, consists of collecting cell samples the carp leaves behind such as fish scales, urine and feces. These samples are then matched with DNA records that distinguish Asian carp from other fish species. This method is controversial by many because it has never been used in this way before and due to samples indicating a large number of Asian carp have past the electric barriers that are near Lake Michigan. Click here to read more.