BY JENNIFER WEINGART
The question of the presence of Asian Carp has been the focus of another report released last week by a group of researchers.
The report covers research done over several years by experts from Notre Dame, The Nature Conservancy and Central Michigan University.
Researchers have found environmental DNA from Asian Carp in Great Lakes waters.
the presence of the carp is significant because it is a key factor in the debate about closing off Lake Michigan from the Chicago waterways; and undertaking that would cost billions of dollars and last several years.
Andrew Mahon is a faculty member in the CMU Institute for Great Lakes research and a co-author on the report.
"I think the big point is that we need to act now. it's not too late even if there are a few of these fish in the Great Lakes it's not too late to actually act, but we need to do things soon otherwise we're putting the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem at risk." Mahon said.
At this juncture, not all experts agree that the presence of the DNA means the presence of Asian Carp.
Kelly Baerwalt was quotes in an article in the Detroit News supporting an alternative-source theory.
It said that the DNA came from other sources including birds who have eaten the fish.