Dr. Benishek Statement on Silver Carp Discovery

Statement

Dr. Dan Benishek (MI-01) issued a statement following the announcement by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources regarding the discovery of silver carp eDNA (a type of Asian carp) in the lower Kalamazoo River.

"Protecting the Great Lakes from invasive species like the Asian carp is one of my top priorities in Congress. Asian carp do not just represent a threat to the health of our Great Lakes, they also threaten our broader regional economy. So many jobs here in Northern Michigan depend on the Great Lakes, and I will continue to focus on keeping invasive species out," said Dr. Dan Benishek, co-chair and founder of the bi-partisan Congressional Invasive Species Caucus and member of the Great Lakes Task Force.

"Although the a positive test for eDNA doesn't mean that there is an established population of silver carp in the area, it does remind all of us of the need to be more vigilant. That is why I have continually fought in Congress to ensure that adequate funding, through mechanisms like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, remains in place to fend off invasive species that threaten our lakes."

Michigan's First Congressional District has over 1,600 miles of shoreline--the most in the continental United States and is the only District with shoreline on three of the five Great Lakes.

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