Writer(s):
Nov. 5, 2013
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The following experts from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and Ohio Sea Grant College Program are available to speak with the media about the recent report of invasive grass carp breeding in a Lake Erie tributary:
• Eugene Braig, Aquatic Ecosystems Program Director, Ohio State University Extension, School of Environment and Natural Resources, 614-292-3823, braig.1@osu.edu.
Braig can speak on the significance of the finding and the potential impact of grass carp and other Asian carp on Lake Erie.
• Jeff Reutter, Director, Ohio Sea Grant College Program, Stone Laboratory, Center for Lake Erie Area Research and Great Lakes Aquatic Ecosystem Research Consortium, 614-247-6469 (office), 614-738-5311 (cell), 614-292-8949 (main departmental office), reutter.1@osu.edu.
Reutter can speak on the significance of the finding and the potential impact of grass carp and other Asian carp on Lake Erie.
• Chris Winslow, Assistant Director, Ohio Sea Grant College Program, 614-247-6684, winslow.33@osu.edu.
Winslow can speak on the significance of the finding and the potential impact of grass carp and other Asian carp on Lake Erie.
• Tory Gabriel, Educator, OSU Extension, Ohio Sea Grant College Program, 419-898-3631, gabriel.78@osu.edu.
Gabriel can speak on the potential impact of Asian carp on sport fishing and commercial fishing in Lake Erie. He is based in Oak Harbor in Ottawa County.
Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey on Oct. 28 announced that four adult grass carp taken from the Sandusky River had been born in the river, based on a mineral analysis of the fish. The finding means that the species is breeding in the river, they said. The river flows into Lake Erie at Sandusky Bay.
The USGS press release about the finding is at http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3714.
Many experts fear that an invasion of non-native grass carp, silver carp, black carp and/or bigmouth carp will crowd out native fish, plants and wildlife in the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie, and decimate sport and commercial fishing.
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