Statement by the Honorable Wayne T. Gilchrest
Chairman, Fisheries and Oceans Subcommittee

Oversight hearing on the Growing Problem of Invasive Asian Carp in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River System: November 3, 2005.

Good morning. Today, the Subcommittee will conduct an oversight hearing on the growing problem of invasive bighead, silver, and black carp in the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes region.

There are more than 5,000 non-native species in this country. Many of these species, like food crops and domestic livestock, have made valuable contributions to our society. Regrettably, however, a growing number of foreign species are endangering the survival of native plants and animals, potentially damaging entire ecosystems, and costing our taxpayers billions of dollars. Included in this list of notorious invaders are the brown tree snake, mitten crab, purple loosestrife, sea lamprey, and zebra mussel.

In my own state of Maryland, we have experienced serious invasive species problems with the South American aquatic rodent, nutria, Phragmites (or common reed), mute swans, and purple loosestrife. Invasive species are estimated to cost our nation over $100 billion each year and include mammals, birds, fish, plants, algae, and even viruses and microorganisms.

Since becoming Chairman of the Subcommittee, I have been committed to addressing this pervasive and persistent threat. This year, I have reintroduced comprehensive legislation, H. R. 1591, the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act, to reauthorize the National Invasive Species Act and to strengthen and coordinate the fight against invasive species.

This hearing focuses on these three carp species, known as Asian carp, and addresses yet another topic raised by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Aquatic Invasive Species. Including today’s hearing, this Subcommittee will have held 10 hearings this year on topics covered by the Ocean Commission Recommendations and U.S. Ocean Action Plan. These hearings have served as valuable venues for careful consideration of select portions of these historic documents. To date, we have had hearings on coral reef conservation, integrated ocean observation systems, a review of ocean science, marine debris legislation, and an organic act for NOAA, the lead agency for ocean issues. In addition, there have been four hearings on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. These have all contributed to furthering the Ocean Commission’s efforts to update the Nation’s ocean policy.

As our Subcommittee Members know, the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy span the jurisdictions of many House and Senate standing Committees, including Resources, Science, Transportation, Armed Services, Appropriations, Foreign Relations, and Homeland Security. I am personally committed to continuing to pursue the careful consideration of all Ocean Commission recommendations by working with my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, in this and all Committees with such jurisdiction throughout the rest of this Congress.

I look forward to hearing from our distinguished witnesses on the expanding range of the Asian carp and the threats these species pose to the Great Lakes ecosystem and watershed. I hope that we can prevent another invasive species horror story by stopping Asian carp from devastating the Great Lakes ecosystem.

I now recognize the gentleman from New Jersey, a partner in this effort to comprehensively review the Ocean Commission recommendations. He has often said it should be a central focus of this Subcommittee and I agree. I look forward to working with him on this effort throughout this hearing and the remainder of this Congress. I predict this hearing will prove to be an important debate on our ongoing battle against invasive species.