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Live Asian carp discovered near Lake Michigan

Courtesy of Illinois Department of Natural Resources
This silver carp was captured just nine miles from Lake Michigan.

A live Asian carp was found about nine miles from Lake Michigan, according to state and federal officials.

The Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee announced that the silver carp was captured Thursday morning by a commercial fisherman.

The 28-inch, nine-pound fish was found in a Chicago waterway, beyond the electric barrier 37 miles southwest of the city that is meant to keep the invasive species from the Great Lakes.

Silver carp are among four Asian carp species threatening to invade the Great Lakes, where scientists say they could compete with native species and devastate the region's $7 billion fishing industry.

This is the second time a live Asian carp has turned up beyond the electric barrier network. A bighead carp was found in Chicago's Lake Calumet in 2010.

In response, a number of Michigan lawmakers, including Sen. Gary Peters (D), Rep. Bill Huizenga (R), Rep. John Moolenaar (R), and Rep. Dave Trott (R), are urging the Trump administration to release the Brandon Road Lock and Dam study, which was delayed by the White House in February. 

The study outlines a plan to address the threat of invasive Asian carp.

Emma is a communications specialist with the digital team at Michigan Radio. She works across all departments at Michigan Radio, with a hand in everything from digital marketing and fundraising to graphic design and website maintenance. She also produces the station's daily newsletter, The Michigan Radio Beat.
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