NEWS

Carbon dioxide infusion could be used against carp

Associated Press

Traverse City — Researchers say a process similar to making carbonated soda water could become a weapon in the fight against Asian carp.

In a recent study, scientists pumped recycled carbon dioxide gas into a research pond in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

It was an experiment to see if bighead and silver carp would steer clear of areas with the carbonated water. And that’s exactly what happened.

Michael Donaldson of University of Illinois said the results are encouraging because many tools are needed to prevent Asian carp from migrating into the Great Lakes, where they could compete with native fish for food.

Jon Amberg of U.S. Geological Survey said more tests are needed to determine whether carbon dioxide could be used to control movements of the invasive fish in a natural river.

Scientists discovered six years ago that aggressive Asian carp had made their way up the Mississippi River’s tributaries toward the Chicago area. Since then, the Obama administration and alarmed state officials have pledged swift action to head off an invasion they feared could devastate fishing and boating, which generate $23 billion annually on the Great Lakes.

Since then, federal agencies have spent more than $300 million on stopgap measures, including placing electric barriers on one likely route, a shipping canal that leads to Lake Michigan. But as the carp get closer — some are within 80 miles of the lake — the quest for a surefire deterrent seems to be coming up empty.