A new bill, 2037 is working its way through the Minnesota Senate which may see the installation of a new BioAcoustic Fish Fence (BAFF) system, carp removal and a fish passage at Lock and Dam 5 at Winona, Minnesota.
The meeting came on the same day that commercial fishermen caught 30 silver carp at the location being considered for the deterrent. These carp are the largest silver carp ever caught so far upstream in the Mississippi River, and suggest that the invasive fish are on the cusp of becoming intractable in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The bill currently in the Minnesota senate appropriates money to the state’s Department of Natural Resources to impede the spread of invasive carp in the Mississippi River. This includes funding for a BAFF system at Mississippi River Lock and Dam 5, alongside invasive carp removal, surveys, and the design of a fish passage system through Mississippi River Lock and Dam 5.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is working hard to stop the spread of the silver carp and the DNR has a number of programs in place to monitor the river for invasive carp, removing them when they are found. However, the spread of the silver carp is a complex problem, and it is not clear if the DNR’s efforts alone will be enough to stop the fish from spreading into the upper Mississippi River, hence the need for state level legislation.
The DNR is also working with other agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to develop solutions to the problem of the silver carp. One possibility is to build a BioAcoustic Fish Fence, developed by Fish Guidance Systems, at Lock and Dam 5 to prevent the fish from swimming upstream.
The discovery of silver carp so far upstream in the Mississippi River is a major concern for Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The bill is important because invasive carp are a serious threat to the Mississippi River ecosystem. They are known to eat large amounts of plankton and algae, which can disrupt the food web and make the water quality poor. Invasive carp can also damage aquatic vegetation and infrastructure.
The bill’s passage is a step in the right direction to protect the Mississippi River from invasive carp. The funding will help to prevent the spread of these fish and protect the ecosystem.
The BAFF System: A Promising Technology for Controlling Invasive Carp
The BAFF system is a technology that is designed to impact the spread of invasive carp species in Minnesota waters. It is a combination of a bubble screen, sound projection and high intensity lights that deter invasive carp species from moving upstream.
Invasive carp are a major threat to Minnesota’s rivers. They are able to outcompete native fish for food and habitat, and they reproduce quickly.
The BAFF system works by emitting a series of low-pitched sounds that repel invasive carp. The sounds are produced by a series of speakers that are placed in the water near the lock and dam. The sound is captured within the bubble curtain and creates a barrier that deters invasive carp from swimming upstream.
In a study conducted by Professor Peter Sorensen at the University of Minnesota, the BAFF system was found to be 95 to 98% effective in keeping breeding populations of invasive carp from reaching a simulated river.
The BAFF system is a safe and environmentally friendly way to control invasive carp populations. The system does not use any chemicals or other harmful substances, and it does not harm any other fish or wildlife.
The BAFF system is a that could make a significant difference in the fight to protect Minnesota’s waters. The bill in the senate aims to secure the funding needed to install a BAFF system at Lock and Dam 5, and they hope that this will help to protect the ecosystem and recreational activities in the area.
