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The Asian Carp Problem
—Debbie Rinehart
Officials and locals in North America are trying to protect the Great Lakes from invasion by alien species of fish known collectively as Asian Carp. Weighing as much as 45 kilograms, Asian Carp pose a serious threat to the Great Lakes' ecosystem because they outcompete native fish for food and space. They may even be dangerous to people, as they've been reported to jump into boats, sometimes causing injury.
Asian Carp were originally introduced to the United States to keep catfish ponds along the Mississippi River free of algae. However, they have since escaped the fish farms because of flooding and are making their way towards the Great Lakes.
Several solutions have been proposed to keep the fish out. Years ago, a 48-kilometer-long electric barrier was created to keep the fish out of Lake Michigan. Recently, however, experts say that the fish may already have crossed this obstacle. Others have proposed a simpler solution—eat them. Asian Carp meat is thought to be good for making burgers.
亞洲鯉魚入侵五大湖
北美的官員與當地民眾正設法保護五大湖不受統稱為亞洲鯉魚的外來魚種入侵。亞洲鯉魚重達四十五公斤，對五大湖的生態系統造成嚴重威脅，因為牠們在與原生魚類競爭食物與空間時勝出。牠們甚至可能危害人類，因為曾有報導說牠們跳到船上，有時還造成傷害。
亞洲鯉魚原本被引進美國是要來清除密西西比河沿岸鯰魚池中的藻類植物。然而，牠們自此便因為洪水氾濫逃出了養殖魚池，並且一路游向五大湖區。
為了防堵這些魚，有許多解決辦法被提出來。在多年前建了一座四十八公里長的通電柵欄，將這些魚阻擋在密西根湖外。然而，最近專家表示這些魚可能已經越過這道障礙了。有些人提出較為簡單的解決辦法：吃掉牠們。亞洲鯉魚肉被認為很適合做漢堡。
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