Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 61

CURRENTS
Tests Find Asian Carp eDNA in Pennsylvania
and West Virginia Sections of Ohio River
State officials from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat
Commission (PFBC) and the West Virginia Division
of Natural Resources (WVDNR) have confirmed that
environmental DNA (eDNA) from the invasive Asian
Silver Carp has been found in two water samples collected
from the Ohio River.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
tested 200 water samples collected from the upper Ohio
River between Wheeling, W.Va., and Pittsburgh on
October 21 through October 22. The tests found eDNA
in one Pennsylvania sample taken from the Ohio River in
Aliquippa, Beaver County, about six miles upstream of the
confluence with the Beaver River. A second positive eDNA
result was found in a West Virginia sample near Chester in
Hancock County. None of the samples tested positive for
Bighead Carp.
Researchers use eDNA analysis as a tool for the early
detection of Asian Carp, which include silver and bighead
carp. The findings indicate the presence of genetic material
left behind by the species. But eDNA does not provide
physical proof of the presence of live or dead Asian Carp.
"Unfortunately, the test results provide some evidence
that this invasive species could be in the upper Ohio River
in Pennsylvania," said PFBC Executive Director John A.
Arway. "This is an early warning sign, since we don't know
for certain the origin of the genetic material. We don't
know if the eDNA came from live or dead fish or if it was
transported from other sources, like bilge water or storm
sewers, or even waterfowl visiting the basin."
"The states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and West
Virginia have been cooperatively working over the last
two years to address Asian Carp upstream migrations in
the Ohio River," added Curtis Taylor, Chief of the West
Virginia Wildlife Resources Section. "These efforts have
focused on fishing down these species at the population's
leading edge by using contracted commercial fishermen.
The main reach of this effort has centered in the Meldahl
and Greenup navigation pools that span the river between
Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia." This cooperative effort
will continue in 2014.
Asian Carp are a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems
because of their voracious appetite and ability to quickly
reproduce. Once in a waterway, they devour much of the
microscopic algae and animals that other species rely on
for food, effectively decimating other species. This, in
turn, can harm local economies, which rely on the revenue
generated from sport fishing and boating.
Because of the destructive nature of the Asian Carp
species, officials urge anglers and boaters to help slow the
spread. Anglers and boaters should thoroughly clean gear
and boats before entering new waters and learn how to
identify Asian Carp.
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

Bighead Carp

Dark blotches
along back
No scales on head
No barbels on nose
Low set eyes

Silver Carp

Small scales
No scales on head
No barbels on nose
Low set eyes

Black Carp

Large scales
Pointed, shaped face
No barbels on nose
No scales on head

Anglers and boaters are urged to contact the PFBC
or WVDNR if they suspect the presence of Asian Carp.
Both agencies maintain a website for easy communication:
PFBC - www.fishandboat.com/ais.htm and
WVDNR - www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/asian_carp.shtm.
Additional information is available on the
national Asian Carp website at www.asiancarp.us.
More information about the Clean Your Gear
educational campaign is available at
www.fishandboat.com/cleanyourgear.htm.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2014

61
http://www.fishandboat.com/ais.htm http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/asian_carp.shtm http://www.asiancarp.us http://www.fishandboat.com/cleanyourgear.htm http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014

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