Asian Carp Canada Innovative Solutions Competition
Vision, Question and Backgrounder
Asian Carp Innovative Solutions Competition Vision
The Asian Carp Canada Innovative Solutions Competition is a platform for university and college
students to network and showcase their original ideas for designs and technologies which could be used
in the prevention, control and/or elimination of Asian carps in the Great Lakes basin. The one day event
will be hosted at the University of Toronto at Scarborough on March 5, 2016. A panel of judges will be
comprised of subject matter and academic experts who will determine the winning entry based on preestablished criteria. Awards will be presented to teams with the highest scores in various categories.
Goals of event
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Raise awareness and increase knowledge about the issues surrounding Asian carps and the work
being done currently to prevent their introduction and establishment in the Great Lakes.
Provide participants with an opportunity to develop an idea which might be instrumental in the
prevention, management or elimination of Asian carps in the Great Lakes.
Provide students with a platform to showcase their ideas and presentation skills.
Create an atmosphere that allows students to exchange ideas with scientists, academic
professionals and industry experts in fields such as engineering, biology and environmental
management, to network and collaborate on technologies and innovative concepts, and develop
networks for future endeavors.
The event shall be used to develop ideas that will inform technology and policy in the future and
gain perspective from a younger generation that has not yet entered the workforce.
Presentation Question
Develop a device, technology, equipment, chemical, or other method that could be utilized to either:
 Prevent Asian carps from entering the Great Lakes basin through any of the possible connecting
waterways between the Great Lakes and the United States river systems.
 Control Asian carp populations and/or spread if they do establish in the Great Lakes basin.
OR
 Eliminate Asian carps if they enter or become established in the Great Lakes basin.
Other things that students should consider when developing their ideas
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What would be the time frame for the set up and utilization of the device/concept?
What would be the predicted/expected outcomes?
How much would it cost?
What would be the expected ecological impacts (to the environment/ other species), if any?
What would be the expected social impacts, if any?
How effective do you think it will be?
What are the issues that might pose a problem for your plan?
How well does your idea help to inform the general public about the issues surrounding Asian
carps?
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Background about Asian carps
“Asian carps” refer to four species of carps (Bighead, Black, Grass, Silver) which are members of the
cyprinid family and are related to several varieties of minnow. These carps are all native to the rivers,
reservoirs and lakes in China and southern Russia. Asian carps were introduced to North America in the
1970s for biological control of algae, plants and snails in aquaculture ponds. It is presumed that the
Asian carps escaped into the wild during flooding occurrences between the 1970s and 1990s. Three of
these species have established self-sustaining populations in the United States, particularly in the
Mississippi waterway system.
These fishes are of concern because of the damage they could do to Canada’s ecological, recreational
and economic environments should they enter and become established in the Great Lakes. The two
most damaging invasive carps, Bighead and Silver Carps have progressively been moving northward in
the Mississippi River, overtaking habitat and food resources from native fishes. Without proper
prevention, it is anticipated that Asian carps will make their way into the Great Lakes and that these
fishes would cause similar problems here in Canada. Beyond the tremendous socio-economic cost for
the commercial and recreational fisheries, the establishment of Asian carps into Canadian waters poses
a threat to native species and overall biodiversity because Asian carps alter fish habitat, compete with
native fishes for food and space, and act as carriers for diseases and parasites.
There is a growing awareness in Canada of Asian carps largely due to media efforts in the U.S. (i.e.
electronic fish barrier in Chicago, jumping carp videos on YouTube and the Asian carp court cases in
Ontario regarding the illegal importation of live fish); however, overall, the understanding by the public
of the threats and actions underway to minimise the risks are largely unknown.
The U.S. and Canada have both invested heavily in the prevention of Asian carp introductions into the
Great Lakes. Canada is committed to continuing this effort and to provide an opportunity for young
emerging scientists, engineers and visionaries to participate in this endeavour.
Resources
The Asian Carp Canada website will serve as a resource for reports, fact sheets, webinars, maps and
educational materials for students. It provides general information describing the four species of Asian
carps, their history in North America, and the ecological and socio-economic risks if they were to
establish in Canadian waters. There is also information about the many efforts toward monitoring,
prevention, and response in both Canada and the United States with an emphasis on Canadian actions,
including work underway by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Further websites and resources are listed
below but students are encouraged to investigate other, additional sources of information.
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Asian Carp Canada www.asiancarp.ca
Fisheries and Oceans Canada http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/
Great Lakes Fishery Commission http://www.glfc.org/
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry http://www.ontario.ca/ministry-natural-resources-and-forestry
Asian Carp U.S. www.asiancarp.us
CAISN http://www.caisn.ca/en/index.php
Invading Species http://www.invadingspecies.com/
EDDMapS Ontario http://www.eddmaps.org/ontario/
GLMRIS http://glmris.anl.gov/
Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health http://ec.gc.ca/lcpecepa/default.asp?lang=En&n=E9A42FF1-1&offset=10&toc=show
United States Geological Survey http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/aquatic_invasives_team.html
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About the Invasive Species Centre
The Invasive Species Centre (ISC) has partnered with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(DFO) to develop the Asian Carp Canada Project to enhance education and knowledge of Asian carps,
increase awareness of the work underway by DFO and ultimately contribute to the early detection
efforts of Asian carps in Canadian waters. Asian Carp Canada brings together information on the most
recent prevention technologies, early warning measures, response efforts, and the overall threat of
Asian carps to the Great Lakes and beyond. The Invasive Species Centre is also working directly with
federal and provincial governments to improve strategies for Asian Carp Rapid Response actions.
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