Virus clue in death of 500,000 Asian carp
A lot of dead fish doesn’t usually provide happy news, but 500,000 Asian carp floating bellyup in Kentucky’s Cumberland River late last month might strike some people as a good start.
The dead below Lake Barkley dam in southwestern Kentucky consisted only of silver carp, the species notoriously known for its jumping habit. Leaping carp have knocked people out of moving boats and spurred YouTube videos showing people battling the fish as they fly out of water.
No cause has been determined for the Kentucky deaths, which occurred during a matter of a day or two. Suspected is a virus known to sicken silver carp but not native fish. Official word has yet to be released by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife investigators.
Word of the deaths fueled speculation that a selected pathogen might be used to kill silver carp without harming indigenous fish.
Silver carp, an invasive species abundant in sections of large river systems including the Ohio, are considered a threat in Ohio as they move up tributaries in the state and as potential denizens of Lake Erie and other Great Lakes.
Four species of Asian carp, escapees from farm ponds, are considered a threat to native fish. They include the photogenic silver carp, the large bighead carp, the lesser-known black carp and the ubiquitous and supposedly sterile grass carp.
Owl watch
The Ohio Division of Wildlife is asking citizens for reports about nesting barn owls, whose numbers have fluctuated dramatically in Ohio over decades depending on available habitat.
Last year, 82 barn owl nests were confirmed in 190 nest boxes, the thirdhighest number since Ohio’s barn owl restoration program began in 1988.
Citizens reported 22 additional confirmed observations, the most such reports ever.
Sighting and nesting reports can be called in at 1-800-945-3543 or emailed to wildinfo@dnr.state.oh.us. The wildlife division also is interested in sightings of ruffed grouse and wild turkeys.
Parting shots
The spring wild turkey season ends today at sunset. … A total of 35 two-person teams participated in the Ohio High School Fishing State Tournament on May 10 at Alum Creek Reservoir. The winning team, from Morgan High School in Morgan County, weighed 11 pounds, 8 ounces of bass. The second-place team, composed of two girls from Gallia Academy in Gallia County, weighed 10 pounds, 7 ounces. … Alum Creek State Park was named 27th on a list of 100-best places in the United States for family boating.