A series of free Grass Carp information sessions hosted by the Invasive Species Centre and Fisheries and Oceans Canada will take place July 27 and 28, 2021. The events welcome anglers, boaters, commercial fishermen, cottagers, Great Lakes enthusiasts, and interested members of the public who have questions and are concerned about how Asian carps could impact the Great Lakes if they were to establish in Canadian waters.
The Great Lakes are worth an estimated $13 billion annually. This includes revenue from recreational and commercial fishing, recreational boating, beaches and lakefront use, recreational hunting, and wildlife viewing across Canada and the U.S.
The information sessions will focus on Grass Carp, one of the four species of Asian carps, and the one that poses the most immediate threat to the Great Lakes. “Grass Carp have the potential to devastate the Great Lakes ecologically and economically if they were to establish,” says Rebecca Schroeder, Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist at the Invasive Species Centre.
Just ten Grass Carp per hectare could reduce wetland vegetation by 50%, pushing out species that depend on these wetlands for food and habitat. Grass Carp establishment could negatively impact angling by decreasing biodiversity of popular angling species, boating by reducing water quality, and other forms of recreational water use.
Virtual Grass Carp Information Session: July 27 at 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. EDT
The July 27th virtual information session will consist of a panel of experts who will discuss Grass Carp prevention and early detection efforts, current and future research, reporting, and impacts.
Agenda:
- 7:00 p.m. – Welcome and introductions
- 7:10 p.m. – Interview with panel
- 7:45 p.m. – Audience question and answer with panel
- 8:30 p.m. – Adjourn
Spots are limited! Register here.
For more information visit asiancarp.ca.
In-Person Grass Carp Information Session: July 28 at 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. EDT (Grand Bend, Ontario)
On July 28th Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s surveillance crew will be on site at the Lambton Heritage Museum parking lot between 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. to answer questions and showcase some of their sampling and monitoring equipment. Additional information and resources will be available on site.
Location: Lambton Heritage Museum parking lot (10035 Museum Rd, Grand Bend, Ontario N0M 1T0)
This event will be run in accordance with current COVID-19 gathering, social distancing and/or masking guidelines.
