By AP / WKAR
Detroit, MI – The U.S. Senate has approved legislation that sponsors say aims to fight the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes.
Democratic Senator Carl Levin authored the bill. He says the Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act adds the bighead carp species of Asian carp to a list of injurious species. That prohibits the species from being imported or shipped in the U.S.
Levin and Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) introduced the bill in July 2009. The Senate passed it Wednesday.
A companion House bill introduced by Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Illinois)is pending in a House Judiciary Subcommittee.
Levin says "Asian carp pose a real, clear and growing threat to the Great Lakes." He says the bill would give officials more tools to fight the fish's spread.