MichiganRadio

Congress Enters the Asian Carp Battle ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) -

Congress is weighing in on the growing dispute over Asian Carp and the Great Lakes.

The invasive fish species is a potential threat to the Great Lakes 7 billion dollar fishing industry. Illinois state officials poisoned the Chicago Sanity Canal after the Carp's DNA was found there.

Members of Michigan's Congressional delegation met with the Army Corps of Engineers today to discuss ways of keeping Asian Carp from entering Lake Michigan.

"It would be absolutely disastrous if they got through," says Congressman Vern Ehlers, who took part in that meeting, "Because the Asian Carp are voracious eaters. The would wipe out the small organisms that smaller fish in the lake feed on."

Ehlers says congress may approve 13 million dollars to expand an electric barrier in the canal, which blocks the carp.

Michigan's Attorney General plans to ask a court to shut down the canal until a permanent solution is found. Great lakes shipping companies oppose shutting down their only link to the Mississippi River. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio