Invasive Carp Disrupt Mississippi Ecosystem

Invasive carp have entered Midwest regional Mississippi waters and are now disrupting the aquatic food chain. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and similar organizations are working towards the removal of this invasive species by using sound wave technology.

Originally the carp were living in aquaculture ponds but then crossed their way into water channels though river floods which led them into Mississippi River And other Midwestern waters. This species is considered invasive because it is not native to the Mississippi river. The carp can consume large amounts of food in a short time span, which puts pressure on the food sources that sustain the Mississippi’s native fish population.

The Wisconsin DNR has teamed up with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to remove the carp by using sound frequencies, netting, and herding techniques. The crew uses a central netting area where they play a sound at a certain frequency to attract the carp. Since the carp have a unique hearing range that most native species lack, the organizations use this to their advantage by only attracting the carp.

While invasive carp have not yet become an imminent threat to the rivers, they have a high spawn rate which increases their threat level. The goal is to keep these fish away from the Mississippi River in an attempt to prevent them from becoming a significant problem and potentially eliminating native fish.

[Sources: Wisconsin DNR ; Madison.com; La Crosse Tribune ]

Great job on the article! – Ayelen Flores Ruiz , wright middle school (2022-03-16 14:58)
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