8/9/2019 Fact Sheet: eDNA

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Fact Sheet:

The Limitations of eDNA Evidence

Background:

A newly theorized and highly sensitive testing method called eDNA foundinconclusive evidence of Asian carp genetic material near the Great Lakes. Ina one week kill and capture operation designed to verify whether this geneticmaterial indicated the presence of live Asian carp beyond existing barriers,the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee killed and sorted 11,000fish in the Little Calumet River. No Asian carp were found.

Still, politically motivated proponents of economically devastating lockclosure point to eDNA as scientific proof that existing barriers are notcontrolling the spread of Asian carp. There is simply no evidence that this istrue, nor do eDNA test results indicate the presence of live Asian carp

upriver of the barriers.

The Facts:

The evidence of carp is based on a test that, according to one of thebiologists who helped implement it, is so sensitive it is likely picking up on

extremely insignificant incidences of fish such as genetic material ratherthan actual living Asian carp, much less sustaining or reproducing colonies.

US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) Major General John Peabody noted thateDNA testing has not yet undergone a complete scientific, independent peerreview, and therefore, any evidence that the electronic barrier has beenbreached is speculative.(February 9, 2010, Statement of Major General John Peabody, USACE , Subcommittee on Water Resources andDevelopment, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives)

The continued use of eDNA to justify lock closure is not acceptable. TheUSACEs most report states that eDNA, as an emerging technology being

applied in a field setting for the first time, USACE cannot conclude that watersamples testing positive for eDNA evidence confirms the presence of Asiancarp. Shutting down navigation based solely on the results of a test that isself admittedly unproven in the field just doesnt make sense.(June 2010,Dispersal Barrier Efficacy Study: INTERIM III Modified Structures and Operations, Illinois & ChicagoArea Waterways Risk Reduction Study and Integrated Environmental Assessment, United States Army Corp of

Engineers)

8/9/2019 Fact Sheet: eDNA

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Even if limited numbers of Asian carp are found beyond the barriers, it is

unlikely that they could successfully establish sustainable populations in LakeMichigan. They are unable to reproduce without long stretches of movingwater and require vast quantities of plankton, both absent in Lake Michigan.

While the scientific methods used to determine the presence of carp arequestionable, the economic effects of lock closure are not. Closing the locks

would add $150 million to shipping costs of local businesses, and millionsmore in taxes, costing the region precious jobs.(June 2010,Dispersal Barrier Efficacy Study: INTERIM III Modified Structures and Operations, Illinois & ChicagoArea Waterways Risk Reduction Study and Integrated Environmental Assessment, United States Army Corp of

Engineers)

The Next Steps:

The preliminary findings of eDNA testing require a multi-stakeholder discussionregarding the threat of Asian carp. No one involved in this issue wants to see Asiancarp continue to spread, but a knee jerk reaction based on unreliable data is

irresponsible. Members of the Asian Carp Working Group must establish specificcriteria for lock closure beyond eDNA testing.

Alternatives to lock closure exist, and should be utilized to mitigate the threat ofAsian carp without crippling the regions economy. Continued costly and disruptiveclosures based on speculative eDNA results distract stakeholder from workingtowards a long-term, comprehensive solution to stop the spread of Asian carp.