In Letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, Casey Urges Action to Protect Lake Erie
Smuggling of Asian Carp Could Damage Northwestern Pennsylvania’s Economy, Batter Lake Erie’s Ecosystem
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) urged the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency to crack down on the smuggling of Asian carp into Canada from the United States, a practice that could put the ecosystem of Lake Erie and the jobs and economic activity that depend on a healthy lake at risk. In a letter to the agency, Senator Casey cited the negative impact that Asian Carp smuggling could have on Pennsylvania’s fishing, boating and tourism industries in calling for more action.
"Asian carp pose a direct threat to Erie’s economy and the health of the lake,” Senator Casey said. “For years, Lake Erie has been a tourist destination and a critical part of the region’s fishing and boating industry. Those job-creating industries could be at serious risk unless vigorous efforts to stop Asian carp smuggling are put in place.”
Asian carp is an invasive species that has the potential to seriously disrupt the ecosystem of Lake Erie. Researchers have found that in many sections of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, Asian Carp are the only species present. More than 185 species of fish, mussels, and plants from Asia and Eastern Europe are already in the Great Lakes system, choking out native species.
Senator Casey has been a leader in the effort to prevent Asian carp from reaching Lake Erie, recently pushing for a law to require the speedy creation of an action plan to block Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes through a number of rivers and tributaries.
Senator Casey’s letter to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency is below:
Mr. David V. Aguilar
Acting Commissioner
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Dear Commissioner Aguilar:
I am writing to express my strong concern regarding recent reports of the smuggling of live Asian carp into Canada from the United States. I realize your agency has a very difficult job in handling the volume and variety of products and passengers that pass through our borders every day. However, it is evident that the agencies best able to stop the flow of smuggled goods need to better communicate risks among appropriate inspectors in order to evaluate potentially harmful cargo like live Asian Carp.
Transport of certain live Asian Carp across state lines is illegal because they are listed as injurious species under the Lacey Act. I urge you to immediately review the agency’s policies regarding notification of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service so that appropriate actions can be taken against anyone who attempts to transport live Asian Carp across the border. I also urge you to continue diligence over inspection of food, agricultural products, plants and wildlife and ensure that specially-trained personnel are involved in examining these products.
If Asian carp enter Lake Erie, Pennsylvania will face significant problems. Asian carp could decimate the fishing industry, impacting not only the people who catch fish, but also those who serve fish in their restaurants or sell fish directly to consumers. In Erie County, for example, activities like walleye sport-fishing generate big dollars and perch is a mainstay on local menus. Commercial landings from Lake Erie for yellow perch and smelt are 84% and 94% respectively of total Great Lakes catch. Economic impacts of fishing activity for Pennsylvania alone totaled $726 million in 2006. Total U.S. economic activity attributed to Great Lakes fishing is over $7 billion.
Asian carp could also seriously hamper boat recreation. The Lake Erie coastal region supports 1.2 million Pennsylvanian jobs. As a vacation destination, Presque Isle State Park hosts four million people each year, with visitors contributing over $67 million into the economy. While we cannot know exactly how significant an impact Asian carp in Lake Erie would have on local communities, we must work as hard as possible to prevent these avoidable negative consequences. This is the time to increase vigilance and stop trafficking of the invasive Asian carp species.
While the government has taken many actions to address the Asian carp threat, more must be done to stop the movement of Asian Carp. Lake Erie is an invaluable natural resource for Pennsylvania, supporting both the economy and culture of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Ensuring Lake Erie remains such a resource for generations to come is important, and for this reason I will continue to work on efforts to address the Asian carp threat.
Thank you for your work on this important issue. I look forward to working with you on this issue and keeping Pennsylvanian communities and industries safe from the injurious Asian carp and other invasive and injurious species.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey Jr.
United States Senator
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