Stabenow, Levin Urge Immediate Action on Asian Carp Following New Study
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin issued the following statements today after the U.S. Geological Survey announced that Lake Erie and its largest tributaries provide ideal habitats for Asian carp to reproduce and mature, reinforcing the need to Stop Asian Carp from entering the Great Lakes:
Stabenow, author of the Stop Asian Carp Act to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, said, "Asian carp represent a critical threat to our boating, fishing and tourism industries, and ultimately our Michigan way of life. This report further shows how devastating the carp's entry into the Great Lakes would be. We need action now to protect our natural resources."
"Today's report provides more evidence of the need for federal, state and local officials to work together to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes," Levin said. "We have succeeded in strengthening efforts to prevent this invasive species thus far from establishing a population in the Great Lakes, and must continue to identify and implement measures needed to protect the Great Lakes from these invasive species."
Michigan's $7 billion fishing industry, $16 billion recreational boating industry and thousands of Michigan jobs depend on the health of the Great Lakes. More information about the study released today can be found at: http://go.usa.gov/RQt.
