DNR Conservation Officers Seize Asian Carp Being Sold Illegally in Southeast Michigan

[GLF]

May 18, 2006

Law enforcement officers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, along with agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture, seized 84 Asian carp Wednesday that were being sold illegally at two food markets in southeast Michigan.

The joint operation was conducted this week following recent intelligence-sharing with the two federal agencies that live Asian carp were being imported into Michigan and being offered for sale at local markets. Possession or transport of live Asian carp, which includes the grass carp, silver carp, bighead carp and black carp, as well as snakehead, is prohibited by state law. DNR officials said it was the first seizure of these prohibited species in Michigan.

On Wednesday the officers contacted approximately 35 businesses in the region looking for the prohibited species of fish. The effort resulted in the seizure of 84 grass carp from two food markets in Ypsilanti and Southfield. Legal action is pending for the violation of offering to sell a prohibited species.

As national and state efforts continue to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan via the Illinois River, DNR officials are concerned that these non-indigenous species have the potential to cause great harm to the Great Lakes ecosystem. Non-indigenous species that are successful in establishing populations usually are impossible to eradicate, and difficult and costly to control.

"This cooperative effort with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture underscores the critical need for increased inter-agency enforcement," said Alan Marble, chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Division. "The sharing of expertise and knowledge is key to preventing the introduction, or spread, of these invasive exotic fish species."

Anyone having information of the possession, sale or importation of live prohibited species is urged to contact the DNR Report All Poaching Hotline at (800) 292-7800.

[GLF]

What are these people thinking bringing these into Michigan I hope the dnr takes their buisness, locks them up, and throws away the key!

[huntingfool43]

I hope they lock them up and throw the key away and feed them nothing but carp 3 meals a day.