Michigan

Environmental DNA from invasive silver carp found in Michigan river

Published

10 months ago

September 9, 2023

Environmental DNA from invasive silver carp found in Michigan river

Routine environmental DNA (eDNA) testing for invasive carp found a single positive sample in a Michigan river.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does annual testing for invasive bighead and silver carp. This year, they found a single positive sample in the St. Joseph River near the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor area.

Only one of the 220 water samples collected in June 2023 from stretches of the river between Lake Michigan and Berrien Springs showed evidence of genetic material from silver carp. That sample was taken near Marina Island.

“A positive eDNA sample does not necessarily indicate the presence of live fish,” said Seth Herbst, DNR Fisheries Research Program manager. “It is possible for genetic material to be introduced from other sources, such as boats or fishing equipment used in another state where invasive carp are present, then transported and used in Michigan waters.”

The Michigan DNR collaborates annually with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to sample high-priority locations for the presence of bighead and silver carp genetic material. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

The sample was taken directly in front of a marina. Officials said this could mean boater traffic could have contributed to the detection.

“We use eDNA results as one piece of information to determine the best response to the potential threat of an invasive species,” said Herbst. “In this case, we have requested assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct another round of eDNA sampling in the St. Joseph River beginning Sept. 5, with results to be processed as soon as possible.”

The USFWS has been conducting monthly electrofishing and netting in the St. Joseph River each summer since 2022 to capture and remove grass carp. They have not caught or spotted any silver carp.

Officials said there is no evidence of any live bighead, silver, or black carp in the Great Lakes or in Michigan Rivers. Anglers are encouraged to learn how to identify invasive bighead and silver carp and report any suspect fish.

“Along with our participation in the eDNA surveillance program, we continue to be diligent with early detection efforts, such as conducting fish population surveys, increasing awareness among anglers, and maintaining an invasive carp reporting website for anglers to share any suspicious catches or observations that occur during their outings,” said Herbst.

—> Meet the 17 invasive fish Michigan residents should know about

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff conduct electrofishing and netting on a Great Lakes tributary. (Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee)

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Related Topics:Featured Invasive Silver Carp

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Michigan

Major drug dealer found guilty of multiple drug, weapons offenses in Michigan

Published

3 hours ago

July 2, 2024

Press Room

Major drug dealer found guilty of multiple drug, weapons offenses in Michigan

Ricardo Delgado, II, the leader of a large-scale drug conspiracy operating in the Saginaw-Bay area, was convicted by a federal jury of multiple drug and weapons offenses, including drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, possession of multiple machineguns and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Delgado, 51, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a machinegun, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of an unregistered silencer, and use of communication facility to commit a drug offense.

Court documents revealed Delgado was involved in a wide-ranging drug conspiracy that involved the importation of numerous kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl from Mexico for distribution in the Saginaw-Bay area.

FBI agents learned from a court-authorized wiretap that Delgado was seeking retaliation for the theft of his drugs from a subordinate and that he ordered that subordinate to exact revenge.

However, the plan was thwarted by authorities. In addition, following Delgado’s arrest, law enforcement officers seized 13 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of fentanyl, 12 firearms, including two machine guns and two silencers, and over $200,000 in cash from the 51-year-old’s residence.

When he is sentenced, Delgado faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 55 years and a maximum of life in prison.

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Michigan

Crews resume search for swimmer who went missing in Lake Michigan at Evanston's Lighthouse Beach

Published

10 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Press Room

Crews resume search for swimmer who went missing in Lake Michigan at Evanston's Lighthouse Beach

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) — Lighthouse Beach is off-limits while crews continue their search Monday for a swimmer who disappeared after jumping in the water.

The Evanston Fire Department was back on Lake Michigan on Monday morning, resuming their search for the man who went missing in the water on Sunday afternoon.

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Assisted by Chicago and other suburban fire departments and the U.S. Coast Guard, crews, for now, are focusing on a half-mile area starting at Lighthouse Beach and heading south. They are using sonar and other technology, but the turbulent water is making things difficult.

“Even our rescuers this morning, during the search effort, was reporting extremely hazardous current and wave conditions that they were facing as they were in their vessels,” said Matt Smith with the Evanston Fire Department.

It was Sunday afternoon when an emergency call came in regarding four swimmers struggling in the water.

Joe Flanagan said he saw everything unfold.

Flanagan was at Lighthouse Beach with his son-in-law and grandson. He said two teenage girls were having difficulty in the water when a woman and a man jumped in to help them.

“It just didn’t look like everything was going well, so I got down to my shorts and jumped in water, grabbed mother and the daughter, and one of the other girls, and pulled them up,” Flanagan said.

Flanagan got the teen girls and the woman to safety, but when he went back in to look for the man, he could not find him. He said a red flag was up at the beach, signifying no swimming. He says it is important for people to heed safety warnings.

“The only reason I’m here right now, talking to you, is because people have to know that this is really dangerous. That water is incredibly dangerous,” Flanagan said.

Just Monday morning, a man died after being pulled from the lake near Montrose Beach.

Dave Benjamin with the Great Lake Surf Rescue Project said around 50 people drown in Lake Michigan each year, and that knowing how to swim does not guarantee survival.

“Essentially, what we need people to do is float to live, float to survive. They need to flip over on their back and float, stay on the surface until they can either self-rescue, or a professional can rescue them,” Benjamin said.

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Michigan

US: Harvest-time insect alert for Michigan blueberry growers

Published

17 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Press Room

US: Harvest-time insect alert for Michigan blueberry growers

Michigan had a mild winter and is experiencing a warm summer, resulting in early activity of a few insect pests as the peak of blueberry harvest approaches. Michigan State University is seeing increases in blueberry maggot and spotted wing drosophila catches at various monitoring sites in southwest Michigan in the past week. Growers with ripening and ripe blueberries should be protecting those fields using effective insecticides.

Figure 1. This picture shows spotted wing drosophila (SWD) monitoring traps with yeast and commercial lure. It also shows the sampling method to detect SWD larvae submerging the fruit in salty water for 15 minutes. Photo by Carlos García-Salazar, MSU Extension.

There are various options registered for these pests, with high efficacy and short preharvest intervals that can be used during harvest season. See the Michigan State University Extension bulletin E154, “Michigan Fruit Management Guide,” for recommendations. This publication is available in hard copy and as a downloadable PDF.

For timing your insecticide applications against spotted wing drosophila, place monitoring traps with a bait made of brewer’s yeast or a commercial lure in fields as shown in Figure 1.

Blueberry maggot can be managed using applications every 10 to 14 days, but protection against spotted wing drosophila requires a tighter spray interval. You can also monitor berry infestation levels by taking weekly fruit samples focused on fields approaching harvest to check that they remain free of insects. Michigan State University has developed a short, 8-minute video explaining this method and providing guidance on the simple equipment needed.

Source: canr.msu.edu