Invasive species harming our lakes

I am writing in response to the Associated Press article “Report says mussels, nutrients damaging Great Lakes.” Invasive species, such as the zebra mussel, interfere with the nation’s economic activity and are the main contributors to global biodiversity loss and global environmental change. They also have caused many human epidemics, such as the HIV, SARS and influenza epidemics.

The issue must be taken seriously because invasive species disrupt many of the food webs in the Great Lakes and surrounding rivers. The fishing industry of the region is also affected, as desirable fish populations are decreasing. This is costing our economy billions of dollars each year.

Another example of an invader that has done a great deal of damage is the Asian carp. These are big fish, weighing up to 100 pounds, that are a filter feeding species. They reproduce and grow rapidly.

We are wasting precious time. The most important step in preventing any more invasive species is to block off any new shipping invaders. The Ballast Water Exchange must also be stressed and implemented more strictly because it is an effective strategy that exchanges the lake water with marine water, killing off any freshwater organisms that can establish themselves in the freshwater Great Lakes.

But most of all, the public needs to be aware that we must stop introducing foreign species. By following these simple guidelines, we can prevent any more invasive species from entering the Great Lakes. Though some of the tactics are expensive, they do not exceed the costs that our economy loses from these invasive species.

Natalia Gogola

Lockport