The presence of grass carp, one of the four species of Asian carp, is confirmed in the St. Lawrence River. These are aquatic invasive species that can have ecological impacts, generally negative, on the fauna and flora present in our aquatic ecosystems. They can also have negative socio-economic impacts on many human activities such as fishing or recreational activities.
Protection of Quebec waters against aquatic invasive species is a priority of the Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (MFFP) and is included in the Quebec Program to fight against Asian carp. The documented risks associated with Asian carps thus create a certain urgency to act to protect the territory against their arrival or, at least, to limit their dispersion. Thus, the characterization of potential obstacles to their dispersion in rivers connected to the St. Lawrence is essential in a context of prevention against their arrival.
The MFFP mandated watershed organizations (OBV) to characterize a number of obstacles on its territory. COBAVER-VS coordinated the program monitoring in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges area in summer 2018. Characterization is meant to determine if Asian carps have the ability to cross the barriers. It involves characterizing its configuration and certain hydrological variables.