Asian carp threat aired in Congress

[eric myers 2]

Last update: October 3, 2005 at 7:51 AM
Asian carp threat aired in Congress
Associated Press
October 3, 2005
WASHINGTON — A North-South fight is erupting in Congress over legislation to ban imports of Asian carp.

Southern fish farmers use the carp to control parasites. Great Lakes states worry about the species' effects on ecosystems.

Some carp have escaped the farms and made their way along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. They could soon reach the Great Lakes, despite an electric barrier south of Chicago.

Asian carp, imported from China, often leap out of the water and can grow to more than 100 pounds.

The Great Lakes have the world's largest surface freshwater system. The region already is battling other exotic species, such as zebra mussels.