State-of-the-art facility joins fight to prevent Asian Carp from entering the Great Lakes
Burlington, Ontario – Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, announced the opening of a new Asian carp science lab at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington, Ontario.
The facility is another example of the Harper Government’s investment in important scientific research and prevention against invasive species. Rather than shipping samples for analysis outside of the country, the new lab will allow Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists to rapidly test samples collected in Canadian waters, right here in Canada. Researchers will now get testing results in a matter of hours instead of days or weeks, saving both time and money in the ongoing monitoring to prevent Asian carp entry.
Employees from the new facility will also now be conducting routine early detection inspections in high-risk waterways, starting this summer.
“As the MP for Burlington, I know very well how important this issue is and how we must do whatever we can to protect our recreational and commercial fisheries. That is why I am very proud of this next step in our Government’s support in the fight against Asian carp, which is part of our commitment of $17.5 million over five years to protect Canada’s Great Lakes from the threat of Asian carp,” stated Wallace.
Asian Carp poses a significant threat to recreational and commercial fishing industries. That means it could have an impact on jobs, on families and dozens of local economies. The Government is working hard to ensure all possible preventative measures are taken while continuing to support job creation and economic growth in Canada.
“The potential presence of Asian Carp in our waterways presents a significant threat for our waterways and in turn our commercial and recreational fisheries. The Harper Government is working to ensure that we take all possible preventative measures. We now have a state-of-the-art facility in Burlington which means that faster and more reliable research for invasive species can take place right here in Canada,” added Finley.
