By: Ag. Reporter Mollie Goode
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services recently detected invasive carp eDNA in a Spencer County lake.
The eDNA was discovered using an environmental DNA surveillance, 330 samples were taken from the Taylorsville lake and six tested positive for carp genetic material.
A news release from The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources says the DNA can enter a body of water through the shedding of cells, secretion of mucus or feces, but can also be deposited through other organisms.
The positive eDNA samples do not confirm the presence of live carp in the lake and there is no physical evidence to support the idea either.
Jeff Herod, fisheries aquatic nuisance species coordinator and Ohio River Basin Invasive Carp Program coordinator says, “We are diligent in our efforts to protect Kentucky’s inland fisheries and aquatic resources.”