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Asiatic chicane EssayArron Kruse11/28/13Choosing a spot in the Illinois River to search or motorboat has obtain a very difficult task of late. Choose incorrectly and geniuss boat might all of a sudden be oertaken by hundreds of fish, some(prenominal) dozen pounds in weight and jumping several feet out of the water. These fish are smooth carp, one of several types of Asiatic Carp now present in many Midwest waterways. Having already overtaken and disrupted the ecosystem and economies of many Midwest waterways, the recent evidence that Asian Carp nurture infiltrated the bang-up Lakes watershed poses even more serious implications if a method of stopping them is not found. The bottom feeding common-carp was introduced to the United States in the 1800s by immigrants who were aghast at the lack of a fish that was so prized in Asia and Europe in America. They are now well-established, and being smaller bottom-feeders they dont pose as much(prenominal) of a threat as Asian Carp. Asian Carp were merchandise to the United States in the Early 1970s to enhance fishing and run across algae in sewage treatment areas. They were originally supposed to be held in contained areas, but very soon they escaped the breeding ponds during floods. Since past they have spread outward in a variety of ways. The silver carps ability to jump has sped its rapid expansion because it was able to jump over barriers other fish couldnt. Adult Asian Carp have no natural predators in the US and are prolific breeders, laying hundreds of thousands of eggs at a time allowing them to spread with almost no interruption. They have also made it through lock systems as boats passed through. Before the dangers of Asian Carp were fully unders alsod fishermen would sometimes use baby Asian Carp as bait which fur... ...n just a few were to get over the lakes. It is clear that Asian Carp have found a sunrise(prenominal) home in the United States. They have been able to spread considerably and without almost any barriers throughout the Mississippi watershed, they are swimming on the precipice of the Great Lakes watershed. As of now they appear to be being kept out, but only by the slimmest of barriers. If they were to break through there would be very little chance at stopping them from the damage they would subvert on the wildlife and people who need the lakes for their livelihood. It is no longer just a cause for scientists and environmentalists to take up, this is a cause that threatens everybody in the Mississippi and Great Lakes Watershed. If we dont act now we may be too late, in fact we may already be too late. have a bun in the oven not what your watershed can do for you, ask what you can do for your watershed.