Durbin Statement On Discovery Of Asian Carp Near Lake Michigan

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) ^ | 6/23/2017 | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)

[mdittmar]

CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the discovery of an adult Silver Carp near the T.J. O’Brien Lock and Dam in the Calumet River:

“I’m deeply concerned by today’s announcement that an adult Silver Carp was discovered a mere nine miles from Lake Michigan.  If this invasive species reaches the Great Lakes, it could cause significant economic losses and irreversible damage to the ecosystem, and threaten the drinking water of 30 million Americans.  Now more than ever, we must redouble our efforts to prevent their spread by ensuring strong federal funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative – which President Trump’s budget eliminates – and by pushing for the completion and release of the Brandon Road Study.”

[Celerity]

Koi are still carp, same as goldfish. Carp are notably gross and have enormous impacts on their environments.

Hyenas are dogs, and some dogs are also very clean and productive. But a hyena in the US wild would certainly be called out as “A disgusting, dangerous invasive species that comes from Africa”. A comparison to a Golden Retriever wouldn’t be drawn, but surely people can understand what I mean.

[Fantasywriter]

Let’s hear you unload your trash talk on bonsai. That is an art form that is delicate, evocative, and very beautiful. I’m sure you can find something gross about it, though. After all, everything from Asia is “horrible,” right?

[Celerity]

Bonsai isn’t gross.

It’s the kind of task one gives a nervous patient to calm their nerves. Or the task that’s given to a sociopath to curb their impulses.

It’s neat, but unless we’re talking about something else, this is growing a plant. And lots of people grow plants. In fact, and this is amazing, plants grow without some dingus standing over them shaping them to their will.

You’ve been sending me a lot of Japanese stuff, so lets see if I can move the topic along with some blanket takes on more Japanese things:

Pooping in holes
Businessmen with Hello Kitty lunch boxes. And underwear.
Hello Kitty in every aspect and appearance.
the national sport of chasing around schoolgirls.
Those rich japanese girls who shop. I forget the name for them, a friend of mine is one of them for her rich family and it’s just pathetic.
The falsehoods of “Japanese honor” which is a joke.
Umbrella girls.
Geisha.
suicide rates and the forests and bridges that are somehow blamed for it.
Yatta.
Rampant anti-western racism
Papakatsu
Pachinko

Man these things are just flowing. Should I go on ? Maybe we can talk about some things Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino or maybe have a real fun day talking about the ooze that drips from China ?

If you’re looking for superior culture, I recommend the United States.

[Fantasywriter]

I’m just thankful that I’m not so eaten alive by Asian-hatred that I’m unable to appreciate such fundamental things as beauty. Before I posted my last comment, I spent some time looking at bonsai. The beauty was indescribable. The skill, patienxe, artistry and creativity that go into these small masterpieces is amazing.

I can’t imagine having such a massive anti-Asian ax to grind that I couldn’t even recognize, much less appreciate, such creations. The creator God made us in His image. He created the world, and then enabled us to create on an incalculably smaller scale. When we trash the results, we’re insulting God.

[And btw, nowhere are we told that only Christians are created in God’s image. Mankind was created in that mold. It doesn’t mean mankind is saved. It does mean there’s an issue, if we can’t look at the God-given talents and abilities of others without seeing only horrible things.]

[Mr. Lucky]

“Strong federal funding” is what opened up the Great Lakes to all manner of invasive species in the first place.

[lizma2]

From what I’ve read later they only seem to be in Little Calumet. Most of that is pretty much a stream. Not exactly a shipping channel. Nets that are 15 ft high??????

[Freedom56v2]

Well, they have been spotted in waterways past the barriers within 9 miles of Lake Michigan**...the pictures I saw of the dam area, it is more than a stream. Though you don't seem concerned, apparently surrounding states are very concerned.

Why don't you submit the idea of a 15 foot net to Michigan and earn yourself $1 million? I am not kidding... That is what Michigan offering for solution to the problem. I am guessing that a 15 foot net would not stop them, or it would have already been installed and either someone claimed $1 million, or it has been tried and was not feasible...

http://www.foxnews.com/great-outdoors/2017/02/06/stop-asian-carp-earn-1-million.html<\p>

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http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/06/23/534105477/invasive-carp-caught-9-miles-from-great-lakes-in-cause-for-serious-concern

**In the eight years the group has monitored the Chicago Area Waterway system, it says this is only the second time a threatening species of Asian carp has been caught beyond the barriers. The first was a bighead carp caught in Lake Calumet in 2010.

For many onlookers, Thursday's catch presents cause for alarm. As Fisheries and Oceans Canada notes, the fish have significantly out-competed native species in the Mississippi River and its tributaries, and they threaten to have the same ecological impact in the Great Lakes.

"They are voracious eaters, able to consume 5 to 20 percent of their body weight each day, leaving far less of the microscopic plant and animal life (phytoplankton and zooplankton) to support native fishes," the agency says.

And that threat has been taken so seriously, millions of dollars have been spent on underwater barriers to keep them in check, according to public radio consortium Great Lakes Today.

"The news of an Asian carp found within nine miles of the Great Lakes is cause for serious concern," Ohio GOP Sen. Rob Portman said in a statement. "The fishing industry in the Great Lakes is a $7 billion a year economic engine and it would be severely threatened if Asian Carp are allowed into the Great Lakes."

They have also been found in a number area ponds that are not connected to waterways as this paper shows including Schiller Park Pond, Lincoln Park South Lagoon, Garfield Park Lagoon and several others...They maps in the paper shows there are numerous sightings...Not sure exactly how they get in those ponds and lagoons... http://www.asiancarp.us/documents/ACDistribution.pdf

They are a hideous ugly fish. If something is not done--fishing industry for 8 states and 2 Canadian provinces will be impacted. Ugh, who knows at some point, the Asian Carp may be what we are seeing on supermarket shelves as the darn things eat everything else so nothing survives but them :(

[lizma2]

Why are you being so snarky and mean? I don’t have a full understanding of the problem and was lookin for more info.

All I’ve seen is that they are in the Little Cal. I would think that is a do able problem.

If it’s past that why can’t you just present me with more info without the snide comment. Of course I understand it’d a threat. Grew up on the Little Cal and Lake Michigan. So did my parents. And grandparents!! I care a lot about that area. ((Actually thought I would like my ashes spread out on Mount Baldy until it started sucking up people.)

Why did you immediately attack me for not being concerned? You are wrong major.

I don’t get it. I’ve seen some nasty FReepers over the years. Guys we all in on the same page!!! Show a little kindness and drop the ego.

[Freedom56v2]

Wow...I apologize...In no way did I mean to be snarky....I can and have been snarky, but rally I did not mean to be...a problem sometimes with print...

I just thought you blew off my first reply to you, and you really did not seem concerned...I felt that you were really underestimating the problem as are many, and I was trying to share information...not just for you but for others...I put in a lengthy paper with maps...and 3 links so I did put in information...As I said, to say “though you may not be concerned, but others are was not meant to be snarky...”

Time will tell, but it will be a shame if this fish ruins the Great Lakes.

Again, please accept my apology.

[lizma2]

Absolutely accepted. Thank you much.

I love that lake. Lived there in grade school, high school, and spent time in college and grad school camping on the Lake Michigan shores. And skiing in Traverse. Honeymooned there in Saugatuck. Love that state. Many memories. My family had a shack outside of Kalamazoo. Spent all my summers there.

I now live by the ocean. I don’t like the fact you can be eaten if you swim there. Didn’t have to worry about that when I swam in Lake Michigan!

Please keep me updated on what is going on. And I will do the same. I’m worried. This could be bad and then some.

Sorry I was so nasty, I misunderstood.

Take care. And thank you for being kind.

[ViLaLuz]

Thanks a lot. I’m from Japan.

[Daffynition]

Introduce eagles, fisher cats, pelicans and snapping turtles.

EAT MORE CARP.

[or crap, as the case might be]

[sargon]

After reading about this issue, I went to YouTube and learned how to catch Asian carp, fillet them, and how to cook them. By all accounts, they taste better than either tilapia or catfish!

Since the Asian carp is such a detrimental species to North America, let's put a bounty on them and commercialize them as food in order to help eliminate them from our lakes and rivers.

We must declare WAR on the Asian carp...