Senator Walker’s statement is as follows:
It is reported that the Asian carp consume up to 40 percent of their body weight in phytoplankton each day, thereby
outcompeting with the native fish population for food. We all agree this is a great problem. A recent study indicates that
invasive species costs an excess of $200 million to our sport fisheries, manufacturing sector, and municipalities. The advance
of the Asian carp, the Mississippi River has been troubling.
Although there has been some action to try to prevent the carp from entering Lake Michigan, these efforts have been futile,
and there has been little to no support from the federal government. Former Attorney General Mike Cox led an effort to
force closure in the locks in the Chicago shipping canal for the purpose of closing off the hydrologic path to Lake Michigan.
Unfortunately, those efforts have not been successful as of now. One of Attorney General Bill Schuette’s first actions after
his inauguration was to announce the continuation of those efforts to stop the Asian carp.
This Senate resolution is an affirmation of his efforts and the efforts of the Governor’s administration. It states the Senate’s
displeasure with the inadequate response of the federal government, and it expresses our support of any action to prevent
this invasion
The time to act is now, and every moment lost is time for the Asian carp to gain a foothold in the Great Lakes. I appreciate
your support