On the Doorstep of the Great Lakes, Tench what is it, how did it get here, and what now
Tench, a Eurasian fish from the same family as Asian carps, was captured in the Bay of Quinte (Lake Ontario) in 2018. Over the past few decades, Tench has managed to stay out of the spotlight, despite expanding its range westward from the site of its illegal introduction in Quebec towards the Great Lakes. However, its recent rapid spread and increasing appearances in bycatch of commercial fisheries has raised alarm. In this webinar, we will delve into the history of the introduction of this fish, learn how to identify it, and describe what is known about the potential threats it poses to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. We will also discuss what can be done to prevent the spread of Tench and reduce its impacts. This webinar was presented by Sunci Avlijas, McGill University
Grass Carp in Lake Erie: History, Status, and Habitat
Although Grass Carp have been captured in the Great Lakes since the early 1980’s, it was assumed that most were sterile escapees from stocked ponds, or incapable of successfully reproducing in available tributaries. However, spawning was first documented in the Great Lakes in 2015 with the collection of fertilized eggs from the Sandusky River, a Lake Erie tributary. Monitoring has since continued and spawning has been documented in multiple years in two Lake Erie tributaries, with some evidence suggesting that recruitment may have already occurred. Grass Carp consume aquatic vegetation and therefore may pose a threat to Great Lakes aquatic vegetation communities. This webinar covers the history and status of Grass Carp reproduction in Lake Erie and current research and management efforts. This webinar is presented by Dr. Patrick M. Kočovský, USGS and Nicole R. King, University of Toledo.
Asian Carp Education Delivery, Challenges, and Lessons Learned
Socio Economic Risk Assessment of the Presence of Grass Carp in the Great Lakes Basin
“Socio-Economic Risk Assessment of the Presence of Grass Carp in the Great Lakes Basin” provides a detailed socio-economic analysis of the potential economic impact to Canada and the US of the establishment of Grass Carp in the Great Lakes. The study supplements the bi-national Ecological Risk Assessment of Grass Carp for the Great Lakes Basin (ERA) released in 2017. The Great Lakes are the world’s largest freshwater system, with 20% of the world’s fresh surface water and 95% of North America’s fresh surface water. The Great Lakes directly support the lives of approximately 40 million people in both the US and Canada. The Great Lakes are an important source of drinking water and support fish, wildlife, plants, thousands of wetlands and a variety of landscapes. They are home to commercial and recreational fisheries, numerous recreational activities, commercial transportation, and provide both tangible and intangible benefits to residents of Canada and the US.
Overview of Canadian Research on Asian Carp Prevention
The four invasive Asian carp species (Bighead, Silver, Black and Grass carp) represent an imminent threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem. These invaders would drastically alter native fish populations and habitats, which will also harm the commercial and recreational fishing industries. Due to this impending threat, scientific research is required to inform preventative strategies. This webinar will provide an overview of research in Canada directly related to the prevention of an Asian carp invasion. Examples of current research efforts include the development of models to determine which Canadian tributaries would be suitable to Asian carp spawning, and an evaluation of whether non-physical barriers would be effective in deterring the movement of Asian carps throughout high-risk tributaries. Additionally, risk assessments are being developed to inventory all potential paths of introduction, and their relative threat level. Canadian research forms a vital component of larger collaborative efforts to prevent the establishment of Asian carps in the Great Lakes. Presented by Paul Bzonek and Tej Heer from University of Toronto.
The Importance of Binational Collaboration in the Great Lakes Region to Address Asian Carps
Presented by Becky Cudmore from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Dr. Marc Gaden from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. The binational Great Lakes ecosystem is currently under threat from four high risk Asian carp species, Grass, Bighead, Silver and Black carps. The prevention of establishment of these invasive fishes is an identified priority for both the Canadian and American governments. Collaboration between the two federal governments is key in addressing these species. This webinar will provide background on Great Lakes governance and authorities around fishery management. Information specific to Asian carp governance will also be given and how groups like the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee function to provide guidance. Examples of binational actions underway will highlight some of our successes and will include topics such as risk assessment, response, prevention, and enforcement. The webinar will end with a discussion on the importance of binational collaboration and where there are challenges.
Developing a Strategic Response Plan using ICS for Asian Carps in the Great
Presented by John Saunders, President/Owner of SEEMS (Saunders Enterprises & Emergency Management Services) and Becky Cudmore, Regional Manager, Aquatic Invasive Species Program at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, this webinar will review the history of the need and subsequent creation of a Strategic Response Plan specific to Asian carps. We will review the basics of the Incident Command Structure (ICS) and how it was used in the Strategic Plan. We will conclude with the highlights of the on-water large scale exercise that was run last Spring in Dunnville, Ontario. Lessons learned from the exercise will also be shared.
Asian Carps Enforcement Activities Approaches Across Great Lakes Jurisdictions
Presented by Brenda Koenig from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, this webinar will provide an overview of the approaches taken across Great Lakes jurisdictions to monitor adherence and promote compliance with applicable laws about Asian carps. The regulatory frameworks will be outlined with solutions that have been developed to address gaps. Selected outcomes from enforcement activities along the compliance continuum will be highlighted. Features of this talk include insights on monitoring programs, description of working arrangements with other agencies to detect and prevent entry of live Asian carps into various jurisdictions, and a summary of statistics on convictions relating to Asian carps and penalties/seizures associated with them.
Modeling Potential Effects of Bighead and Silver Carp on Great Lakes Food Webs
Asian carp threaten to invade the Great Lakes which could have negative ecological, economic and social consequences. Two of the four species in particular, bighead and silver carp,are a large threat due to their diet. They are voracious plankton feeders and have the potential to disrupt food webs. This webinar will be presented by three speakers. Dr. Edward Rutherford is a Research Fishery Biologist at NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory where he focuses on population dynamics, early life history and habitat of Great Lakes and marine fishes. Dr. Doran Mason is a Research Ecologist at NOAA and his speciality is quantitative aquatic ecology. Jenny Apriesnig is a Ph. D. candidate at Colorado State University where she develops models to examine fisheries and invasive species issues. This webinar will discuss the potential effects that a silver carp and bighead carp invasion could have on Great Lakes food webs.
Binational Risk Assessment on Grass Carp
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Great Lakes Fishery Commission announced the results of a key risk assessment study on Grass Carp for the Great Lakes Basin. Grass Carp have been found in Lakes Michigan, Erie and Ontario and the ecological consequences in most areas of the Great Lakes basin could be extreme within the next 50 years. Lisa Jones will present on findings. She is a Visiting Fellow at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and has been working for the Asian Carp Program in the role of researcher and project manager of the ecological Grass Carp risk assessment for the Great Lakes basin. She has extensive experience in aquatic invasive species research, with a MSc and PhD from McGill University where she studied factors influencing the ecology of zebra and quagga mussels.
Grass Carp Initiatives in Ohio
Speaker John Navarro discusses the status of Grass Carp in Ohio and how Ohio is responding to the issue.
Confused with Carp' ID and Reporting: Brook Schryer
Brook Schryer, Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Liaison with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, will teach you about the main identification features of Asian carps and the species that get confused with carp! He will also walk you through how to report any invasive species using the Invading Species Hotline and EDDMapS Ontario. (Recorded live September 30, 2016).
Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Asian Carp Program - Where Are We Now: Becky Cudmore
An update on Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Asian Carp Program. Hear about the activities being done by the Program to prevent the introduction and establishment of Asian carps in the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes. Becky Cudmore, Asian Carp Program manager and Senior Advisor at Fisheries and Oceans Canada in Burlington will highlight some of the Program’s achievements as well as some lessons learned. The Program had a busy summer in 2015 with several Grass Carp captures and Becky will provide an update on those specimens.
Environmental DNA Monitoring for Detecting Invasive Species in Ontario Waterways: Chris Wilson
Canadian Research in Support of Asian Carp Management: Nicolas Mandrak
How can Canada contribute to research on Asian Carps if they are not currently established in Canada? Nick talks about research that is being done in support of Asian carp management without putting Canada’s aquatic ecosystems at risk. Topics include computer-based research on the potential spread, spawning, and impacts of bigheaded carps in the Great Lakes that was contributed by Canadian researchers in a recent binational risk assessment. Nick also discusses current Canadian research being conducted to better understand how fishes move through canals, an important pathway for invasive fishes, and how fish movement could be controlled if required. (Recorded live on December 3, 2014)
An Overview of Canada's Asian Carp Early Detection Monitoring Program: David Marson
David’s presentation focuses on the early detection monitoring component of DFO’s Asian Carp Program. The selection process for locations that will be used as early detection sites is discussed, as well as the variety of traditional and non-traditional fishing gears and deployment methods currently being used to target Asian carps. A review of the 2013 catch data, and a brief summary of 2014 sampling, is also covered. (Recorded live on November 25, 2014)
Multi-jurisdictional Approach to Asian carp: Kevin Irons
Kevin Irons, Aquaculture and Aquatic Nuisance Species Program Manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources talks about why Asian carps are an issue in the U.S. and why stakeholders are “doing battle” with them in Illinois. He describes the efforts underway across the Great Lakes in Monitoring and Response including information on the Chicago Area Waterways, the USACE electric barriers and Asian carp population controls currently being used. Kevin also discusses the development of partnerships across geographic borders regarding information sharing, techniques, expertise and mutual aid agreements. (Recorded live on November 12, 2014)
Asian Carp 101: Becky Cudmore
Becky Cudmore, Senior Science Advisor and manager of the Asian Carp Program at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), discusses the biology of these invasive fishes and the risk they pose to Canadian waters. Becky also describes DFO’s Asian Carp Program and what is being done to protect the Canadian Great Lakes from this threat. (Recorded live on October 9, 2014)