[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 157 (Friday, December 3, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2061-E2062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ASIAN CARP PREVENTION AND CONTROL ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CANDICE S. MILLER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 1, 2010

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 
1421, The Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act.
  This bill bans the importation of bighead carp, more commonly known 
as ``Asian carp.'' These fish have voracious appetites and can grow to 
weigh more than 100 pounds while eating everything in their path. 
Making them yet more dangerous is that when agitated by sounds such as 
boat engines, these fish leap out of the water and have been known to 
harm boat passengers, resulting in broken bones or worse.
  The real nightmare, however, Madam Speaker, is the impending 
devastation these fish can potentially wreak over the Great Lakes 
fishery. Asian carp eat up to 40 percent of their body weight every 
day, and would likely out-compete native species in this $7 billion 
fishery. This would result in the decimation of recreational and 
commercial fishing in the Great Lakes, which is currently known 
worldwide for its plentiful perch, walleye, whitefish, salmon, and much 
more.
  While I'm happy to vote today in favor of S. 1421 to prevent more 
Asian carp from being imported into the country it will do nothing to 
stop the carp already here from entering the Great Lakes.
  The fact of the matter is that the Federal Government's response to 
Asian carp has been woefully inadequate. What is really necessary is an 
ecological separation of the Great Lakes from the Chicago Waterway 
System, which is the waterway by which bighead carp are making their 
way toward the Great Lakes. Bighead carp DNA has already been found in 
Lake Michigan, and this separation must occur before it's too late and 
the fish get into the lake and take hold. I urge the President to move 
faster to address this threat as well as passage of more comprehensive 
legislation that would do more to prevent this dangerous invasive 
species from entering the Great Lakes.
  The bills I sincerely wish we were voting on today, H.R. 4472: Close 
All Routes and Prevent Asian Carp Today Act of 2010 and H.R. 5625 
Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act of 2010, both sponsored by my 
colleague from Michigan, Dave Camp, and of which I am a proud co-
sponsor, which would enact a much stronger attack against the Asian 
carp which poses an imminent threat to our magnificent Great Lakes.
  I urge passage of the Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act.

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