Conservation and Environment

New Zealand Mud Snails confirmed in the Au Sable River watershed

New Zealand Mud Snails have been discovered in the East Branch of the Au Sable River, just downstream of the Harrietta Hills Trout Farm-Grayling. These invasive snails can spread throughout a river system and damage fisheries. Your commitment to wader and gear decontamination is critical to prevent the spread.

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The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) today confirmed two new invasive species in Michigan waters.

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Army Corps Announces Today that it Will Act Years ahead of Schedule

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Dave Camp, sponsors of legislation to speed up the creation of a plan to protect the Great Lakes from Asian carp, today welcomed the Army Corps of Engineers announcement to accelerate its efforts to block the damaging invasive species. Following the introduction of Senator Stabenow and Congressman Camp's legislation, the Army Corps has now announced that it will complete a set of options for permanent barriers to stop Asian carp and other invasive species in 2013, years ahead of schedule.

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AP News on Huffpost

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Scientists want to know if an underwater cannon can protect valuable Great Lakes fish from a greedy predator.

The round goby (GOH'-bee) is an exotic species that hangs around spawning beds, gobbling up eggs of native varieties such as lake trout and whitefish that are important to the fishing industry. Read complete story on Huffingtonpost.com

From Aol News Surge Desk:
Katie Drummond Contributor

(Oct. 6) -- Hockey prowess, health care norms and the correct way to pronounce the letter "O."

On these fundamental disagreements, Canadians and Americans might never see eye-to-eye. But where invasive species of fish are concerned, researchers in the two countries are ready to team up and fight back.
Read entire article on Aol News Surge Desk

As reported in the Detroit News 6:12PM June 23, 2010:
Asian carp pass barrier toward Great Lakes
Nathan Hurst / Detroit News Washington Bureau

Washington -- A bighead carp has been found in Illinois' Lake Calumet, about six miles north of an electric barrier set up to stop the invasive fish from entering the Great Lakes.

Officials in Illinois are expected to announce the find late today, and have notified some members of Congress who reacted to the find.

Read entire story from The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100623/METRO/6230424/Asian-carp-pass-barrier-toward-Great-Lakes#ixzz0rn6QDYME

From Aol News:
By AUDREY McAVOY, AP

HONOLULU -Wildlife officials lauded Washington's "holistic approach" to conservation in Hawaii after the Obama administration declared 48 species as endangered and announced plans to set aside more than 40 square miles on Kauai as critical habitat to allow the plants and animals to flourish. Read complete article on Aol News