By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University (MSU) scientists are leading critical research to protect the Great Lakes from invasive grass carp, a species that poses major ecological risks, especially in Lake Erie. For nearly a decade, MSU researchers have studied how these fish affect water quality, vegetation, and native species.
Grass carp, known for their rapid growth and reproduction, feed on aquatic vegetation, causing habitat loss and increased algal blooms. Unlike other invasive carp, they spawn in river systems that flow into the Great Lakes, particularly in tributaries like the Maumee and Sandusky rivers.
Using acoustic telemetry — an advanced tracking technology — scientists are monitoring fish tagged with transmitters to understand their movement patterns. The Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System (GLATOS), managed by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, supports this collaborative effort involving MSU, USGS, DNR, and several U.S. and Canadian agencies.
Assistant professor Scott Colborne of MSU’s Quantitative Fisheries Center leads the project, which aims to prevent grass carp from spreading further. The research has already identified key areas and times for successful capture using tools like gillnets instead of electrofishing.
Justin Bopp from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources noted that findings also guide when to deploy spawning barriers, usually between mid-May and mid-June, to prevent breeding without harming native fish.
“The partnerships that have happened on this project, especially between MSU and USGS, are great examples of how academic institutions can work with government partners,” said Colborne. “From a learning perspective, students and technicians are getting hands-on experience with USGS, and then they’re working with MSU faculty to analyze their data and get it published. Together, we’re helping train our next generation of scientists.
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