For Friday, March 15, 2024

1 – Invasive carp would be turned into food for people and farmed animals under a new partnership between the World Wildlife Fund and Freshwater Select. 

The two organizations, along with industry partners, have launched an Invasive Carp Consortium.

They hope to use market forces to halt the damage caused by invasive carp to U.S. lakes and rivers. 

They want to increase demand for carp products as a source of protein, reduce the population of the harmful fish and counteract environmental damage.

Invasive carp were originally introduced in the U.S. decades ago as a tool for pond cleaning. They’ve since infested and overwhelmed river systems in the Midwest. 

The consortium is an industry trade association whose members represent suppliers in the private sector.

For more information, visit invasivecarpconsortium.com.

h/t Global Nature Beat on Substack

…

2 – Federal funding aims to improve water level forecasts for the Great Lakes, with the ability to predict levels up to a year in advance.

The U.S. Department of Commerce and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will spend $3.7 million to support research on Great Lakes water levels forecasts. 

Officials say the use of current forecasts for decision-making has been historically limited. That’s due to large uncertainties in the rise and fall of anticipated water levels and the short time span of accurate predictions. 

Research to improve forecasts that provide increased confidence in water level changes could provide critical information to decision-makers and support efforts to strengthen coastal resiliency.

The project is designed to improve seasonal water level forecasts using technology like machine learning to extend the forecasts from six months to one year in advance. 

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM in University Center, Michigan, near Bay City (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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