A video of this is available at the NPR site, here. The video shows the carp jumping into the boat, although it does not show anyone getting hit.
The NPR story, link above, mentions that these carp are an invasive species, difficult to eradicate. Some people are cooking them. It is said that if they are smoked, the meat is better than salmon. But there isn't much market for something called carp. Perhaps renaming them will help, according to the people NPR interviewed.
The problem, though, the reason that the carp are a threat to homeland security, is not that they might fly in the face of speeding boaters. It has nothing to do with their use as a food. Rather, the species threatens to enter the Great Lakes, potentially causing massive ecological damage. According to Phil Powers, the director of the Center for Michigan, fishing in the Great Lakes has an economic value of about seven billion dollars per year. (
PDF
link)They came to the USA with a purpose. They were imported
because of their voracious appetite for algae and plankton, for the
purpose of clearing fishery ponds. They were placed in
catfish ponds along the Mississippi. During one or more of
the many floods in the area, some of the carp escaped.
They've been working their way north, up the Mississippi,
since the early 1990's.
Now, they are in northern Illinois, on the threshold of entering the Great Lakes. A temporary, experimental electrical field barrier was installed a few years ago, and seems to be working. Installing a permanent facility would cost about ten million dollars. However, the funding has been bounced around, and it remains unclear whether it will be available.
Homeland security, of could refers to the protection of life, property, and economic security in the homeland. The Asian Silver Carp don't pose a particular threat to human life, but they do pose a serious threat to property and economic security. The economy of Michigan is struggling. Loss of even a portion of the fishing and tourism activity would compound a problem that is already serious.
Notice that a couple of days ago, I compared the loss of life from cervical cancer to the loss of life on 9/11. I argued that compulsory HPV vaccination could be considered appropriate, on the grounds that we have accepted governmental intrusions on personal liberty in order to maintain the security of the homeland.
Similarly, we should not focus so much on terrorism and its potential impact on our security. It makes no sense to do so. As Powers points out, the cost of securing the Great Lakes against the Asian Silver Carp is about 1% of what we spend in Iraq in one day.
Here we have a known threat, with predicable consequences, and a known solution, that is very likely to work. The cost is low, the potential payoff is great, and there are no reasonable political or international consequences to taking action. All it takes is a Congress that gives a flying carp.
Now, they are in northern Illinois, on the threshold of entering the Great Lakes. A temporary, experimental electrical field barrier was installed a few years ago, and seems to be working. Installing a permanent facility would cost about ten million dollars. However, the funding has been bounced around, and it remains unclear whether it will be available.
Homeland security, of could refers to the protection of life, property, and economic security in the homeland. The Asian Silver Carp don't pose a particular threat to human life, but they do pose a serious threat to property and economic security. The economy of Michigan is struggling. Loss of even a portion of the fishing and tourism activity would compound a problem that is already serious.
Notice that a couple of days ago, I compared the loss of life from cervical cancer to the loss of life on 9/11. I argued that compulsory HPV vaccination could be considered appropriate, on the grounds that we have accepted governmental intrusions on personal liberty in order to maintain the security of the homeland.
Similarly, we should not focus so much on terrorism and its potential impact on our security. It makes no sense to do so. As Powers points out, the cost of securing the Great Lakes against the Asian Silver Carp is about 1% of what we spend in Iraq in one day.
Here we have a known threat, with predicable consequences, and a known solution, that is very likely to work. The cost is low, the potential payoff is great, and there are no reasonable political or international consequences to taking action. All it takes is a Congress that gives a flying carp.
Comments
Renaming the carp is likely to help sales. Patagonian tooth fish became Chilean Sea Bass, and sales of what was previously considered junk fish took off. How about "Northern Great Lakes Silver Bass"?
Posted by: PhysioProf | December 9, 2006 12:08 PM
Anything that includes "Great Lakes" is good for marketing, because the Lakes still have a strongly positive connotation for people.
That might change, if the anti-environment crowd gets its way too many times. Still, I like the idea. We could have festivals and cook-offs, celebrating the wonders of the fish. We could start to refer to Michigan as the Silver Bass capital of the world. Boast about it, write songs about it, make t-shirts, hats, etc. Have a beauty contest. Put the winner, "Miss Silver Bass," in a parade.
Politicians could give stump speeches, proclaiming themselves to be responsible for letting this marvelous creature into our waterways.
It's be better than having Michigan declare war on Illinois, for letting it happen.
Posted by: Joseph j7uy5 | December 9, 2006 1:40 PM
What about "Silver River Bass"
Posted by: me | June 20, 2007 7:44 AM
GEEZ!!! These things are soo bad in the oxbow lakes of the Mississippi. I worry that somebody will get seriously injured. My husband and I still aren't brave enough to eat them though.
Posted by: @Rachel | August 17, 2009 8:11 PM
Properly prepared these could be the fish in McDonald's fish sandwich. Then put the price down to $1.00 and put the item on the $1 menu and we will rid ourselves of this menace!
Posted by: bill wehrle | October 4, 2009 9:03 PM