Plan B Forum

The US city of Chicago is considering drastic measures to prevent giant fish infesting North America's Great Lakes.



Authorities are thinking of blocking the city's canal system to stop Asian carp entering Lake Michigan.

Such a move could cost up to $18bn (£11bn) and cause huge economic disruption to the city.

Cheaper options are also being examined, including making burgers out of the fish and eating them to extinction.

This species of carp, as the name suggests, is native to the Far East.

They were originally introduced to southern US states more than three decades ago to control algal build-up in sewage treatment plants. But they escaped into the Mississippi River and proliferated, making their way north towards the Great Lakes.

More than a metre in length, they have displaced indigenous fish species along the way.

Gob wrote:We do this; "Canberra Carp Out".

rubato wrote:

Gob wrote:We do this; "Canberra Carp Out".

You create an incentive to maintain the problem?


More prizes for catching carp provides an incentive to ensure that there are always carp to catch. Yes?

In Victoria It is an offence to release live carp (or any noxious species) into any waters. The maximum penalty (in court) is a fine of $14,084 for a first offence and $28,168 for a second offence.

One case saw two defendants plead guilty for possessing 63 Koi Carp in a large fish pond at the rear of a residence at Walkley Heights. As a result, the defendants were convicted, received fines totalling $2 500 plus court costs and were required to forfeit the carp. A more serious case saw an accused convicted and fined $10 000 for being in possession of 32 Koi Carp, kept in an above-ground swimming pool at an ingle Farm property.

Gob wrote:

rubato wrote:

Gob wrote:We do this; "Canberra Carp Out".

You create an incentive to maintain the problem?


More prizes for catching carp provides an incentive to ensure that there are always carp to catch. Yes?

no.

In Victoria It is an offence to release live carp (or any noxious species) into any waters. The maximum penalty (in court) is a fine of $14,084 for a first offence and $28,168 for a second offence.

One case saw two defendants plead guilty for possessing 63 Koi Carp in a large fish pond at the rear of a residence at Walkley Heights. As a result, the defendants were convicted, received fines totalling $2 500 plus court costs and were required to forfeit the carp. A more serious case saw an accused convicted and fined $10 000 for being in possession of 32 Koi Carp, kept in an above-ground swimming pool at an ingle Farm property.