From the Mississippi River to the Great Lakes<\/p>\n
Capitalizing on the Mississippi\u2019s wide reach, the carp species have spread into a whole host of major tributaries of the river. \u201cThe Mississippi River system is like a giant freshwater highway that has given invasive carp species access to many of the country\u2019s rivers and streams,\u201d says<\/a> the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC).<\/p>\n Notably, the Illinois River is the Mississippi\u2019s chief tributary, serving as the major link between the river and the Great Lakes – a series of interconnected lakes that span several states and cross into Canada. The U.S.\u2019s Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) says<\/a> grass carp is now found in all but one of the Great Lakes. <\/p>\n While grass is the only species of invasive carp with a confirmed current population in the Great Lakes, the FWS says, all four species represent a threat to the bodies of water, which comprise Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. <\/p>\n The GLFC explains that, although black carp remain 300 miles from Lake Michigan – which the Illinois runs directly into – bighead and silver carp are now within less than 50 miles of the Great Lake.<\/p>\n What is being done to curb the spread of invasive carp species?<\/p>\n The chief danger posed by invasive carp species is their ability to \u201coutcompete native desirable fishes\u201d for food, the GLFC says, combined with their prolific feeding rate.<\/p>\n \u201cOver five decades,\u201d adds the FWS, \u201cinvasive carp have depleted the vitality of many rivers, lakes and reservoirs\u201c. They \u201cnow represent one of the most urgent, wide-ranging and complex environmental challenges of our time\u201d, the agency concludes.<\/p>\n To combat the proliferation of invasive carp in North America, mass-removal programs are underway in numerous states. In particular, schemes in Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee are at the heart of an effort that leads to the extraction of millions of pounds of invasive carp each year.<\/p>\n In a social-media post<\/a> in May, the FWS revealed that some 50 million pounds of invasive carp have been removed from the Illinois River alone over the past decade and a half.<\/p>\n A range of state-of-the-art barriers are also in operation to curb the carp species\u2019 spread, harnessing a number of technologies. For example, in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, located in the Illinois River, an underwater electric field<\/a> acts as a deterrent. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, in the Cumberland River in Kentucky, a \u2018bioacoustic fish fence\u2019 has been installed at Barkley Lock and Dam. Per<\/a> the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee, this technology uses \u201can air-bubble curtain, lights, and sound\u201d to deter the species\u2019 advance.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Related stories Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage<\/a>, right at your fingertips \u2013 anytime, anywhere.<\/p>\n And there\u2019s more: check out our TikTok<\/a> and Instagram reels<\/a> for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CJXJOSIVKJEATBMLFFE5D4YCKI.png\")
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