Asian carp may have breached barrier for lake

BY TINA LAM
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER


Great Lakes advocates said today they’ve been told that DNA evidence of one species of Asian carp has been detected above the electric barrier intended to keep the fish out of Lake Michigan.

The DNA was detected in a channel that splits off the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal below Chicago, and leads to Lake Michigan, known as the Cal-Sag channel.

“That is what we understand,” said Jennifer Nalbone, director of Great Lakes United’s campaign against invasive species.

DNA testing of water samples near the electric barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal taken beyond the barrier and Lake Michigan on Sept. 23 and Oct. 1 shows the presence of Asian carp about 1 mile south of the O’Brien Lock, about 8 miles from Lake Michigan, the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies said today.

Previously, DNA of Asian carp has been found a mile below the barrier. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/article/20091120/NEWS...