TRAVERSE CITY -- A packed public meeting full of community members and business leaders at the Traverse City Maritime Academy made it clear of the severity of an Asian Carp invasion.  Attorney General Mike Cox and Congressman Dave Camp explained the possible threats.

"There's a lot at stake, the viability of the Great Lakes, the largest body of fresh water in the world.  The economics of it, the job loss, eight-thousand jobs connected to both recreational and sport fishing," says Dave Camp.

Migrating north from the Mississippi River, the invasive fish could impact everything from the Great Lakes ecosystem to the state's $7 billion fishing industry.

"It's been named the dangerous most invasive species in the world.  The reason is because it can grow up to four feet long, weigh 100 pounds, eat about 40% of its weight and it makes it impossible for the rest of the ecosystem to thrive," says Camp.

Lawmakers say the immediate solution is closing down two major canal locks in Chicago.

"The reality is we need the locks closed down and then we can do all the other measures to get the locks opened again," says Cox.

The owner of a charter fishing business in Arcadia says, if Asian Carp move in, it could directly affect his livelihood.

"These fish are so prolific that we just won't get the tourism from the states.  In my business two-thirds of my customers are out of other states....They will interrupt the salmon fishing, they'll interrupt the steelhead fishing," says charter fishing businessman, Eric Andersen.

Cox wants the Supreme Court to close the Chicago shipping locks that could let the carp reach Lake Michigan.  Congressman Camp is sponsoring legislation to make the same requirement.