Michigan launches Invasive Carp Challenge

Lansing, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced that the Invasive Carp Challenge is now accepting proposals for innovative methods to prevent invasive (or Asian) carp from entering the Great Lakes.

“Invasive carp pose a serious and growing threat to the economy and ecology of our Great Lakes,” Snyder said. “The Invasive Carp Challenge will tap into the creativity and expertise of the entrepreneurial community to find the best ways to protect Michigan’s most prized natural resource.”

On June 22, an eight-pound silver carp was captured beyond the electric barrier, just nine miles from Lake Michigan. Michigan continues to seek to work cooperatively with other states and Canadian provinces to keep silver and bighead carp – two species of invasive carp – from entering the Great Lakes.

The Invasive Carp Challenge is designed to tap into the creative minds of people around the world to join the government and research community in enhancing existing research and tools while developing new, innovative solutions. The challenge will accept solutions in any phase of development, from concept to design to field-tested models, specifically aimed at preventing invasive carp movement into the Great Lakes.

Written proposals will be accepted online through InnoCentive’s Challenge Center (https://www.innocentive.com/ar/challenge/9933993) through Oct. 31, 2017. One or more solutions will share up to $700,000 in cash awards provided by the State of Michigan. Once registered, solvers can see a detailed description of the challenge, review existing deterrent technologies for invasive carp and submit their proposed solutions.

Learn more about the Invasive Carp Challenge by visiting: www.michigan.gov/carpchallenge.