Although Asian carps have not yet established in our Great Lakes, their DNA has been detected just a few miles upstream from Lake Michigan. An invasion would jeopardize the Great Lakes’ $5-billion fishery and could decimate native fish populations.
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The Canadian and Ontario governments have committed major resources toward stopping Asian carps from entering our waterways, and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), home to Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program, is hosting a series of Asian carp information sessions to inform the public about the latest federal and provincial responses to these invasive species.
“There’s no question Asian carps represent one of the single greatest threats to our Great Lakes fisheries,” said Matt Smith, Invading Species Awareness Program coordinator. “We’re looking forward to the opportunity to inform the public about this threat and letting them know what is being done in Canada and Ontario to prevent the entry of Asian carps into our waters.”
The OFAH will be leading five information sessions in communities that could be negatively affected by an Asian carps invasion. Each session will include keynote speakers from the federal and provincial governments and a local speaker that will offer a community-specific perspective.
All sessions start at 6:30 p.m. The dates are as follows:
- Nov. 25 – Windsor, Waterfront Hotel
- Nov. 26 – Niagara Falls, Hilton Fallsview Hotel & Suites
- Dec. 2 – Sault Ste. Marie, Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront Hotel
- Feb. 3 – Toronto, Gladstone Hotel
- Feb. 11 – Peterborough, OFAH/Mario Cortelluci Hunting and Fishing Heritage Centre
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