Solution

This project proposes that native fish be equipped with military firearms, and that the weapons be controlled remotely by Muncie residents via smartphone. This accomplishes two primary goals: it directly combats the spread of invasive species and mobilizes Muncie residents to take environmental action (albeit in a strange and violent way). By equipping existing native species with human-controlled, military-grade weaponry, we avoid the risk of upsetting the ecological balance while still actively combating the threats that invasive species pose.

Illustrations + Motion Graphics

River Defenders are equipped with underwater firearms based on the Heckler & Koch P-11, a pistol used by U.S. frogmen in the 1960s. It was developed during the Cold War as a competitor to the Soviet Union’s SPP-1. This updated version features increased ammunition capacity and can be controlled remotely via smartphone.

In lieu of traditional bullets, underwater firearms use flechettes (pictured below) for better accuracy and range.

Bluetooth technology allows any Muncie resident to connect their smartphone to a River Defender within a range of 800 feet. The interface below provides an aerial map of the White River and the user’s location.

Once connected, the user can obtain a “fish’s eye view” of the White River from the attached camera. From there, the user can scan the area for invasive species and fire the weapon when one is identified, combatting ecological imbalance.

Made possible through coordination with state environmental agencies, River Defenders will mitigate the effects of invasive species, protecting natural freshwater wildlife.

We may also see it develop into a wholesome pastime, replacing fishing as the traditional father-son bonding experience; due to pollutants like mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls, eating fish from the White River is gradually becoming more hazardous.

As bizarre as this idea may seem, the United States military is no stranger to creating alliances with wildlife. In World War II, engineers considered using “Bat Bombs” as a weapon against Japan. Once napalm was attached to the bats, they would be released to roost in buildings that couldn’t be reached by traditional weaponry.

Another example is Project Orcon, which utilized the cognitive abilities of pigeons to guide missiles. The pigeons were trained to recognize certain targets, and then placed in front of a screen with sensors. The birds would peck at the screen when the target moved away from the center of it, maintaining the bomb’s glide path.

Conclusion

River Defenders has a practical function: to engage and mobilize the Muncie populace in protecting the ecology of the White River. Conversely, it is also a band-aid solution that turns human conquest of the natural world into a violent, interactive spectacle.

“Anti-invasive” campaigns can be effective tools in increasing environmental awareness and participation. However, some ecologists are critically examining whether battles against invasive species are worth fighting when root problems are in dire need of attention and resources. In some habitats that may be irreversibly harmed by climate change, certain non-native species may even provide benefits. This evidence is especially relevant when considering how climate change may radically shift ecological relationships beyond our control.

The goal of River Defenders is not to dismiss the negative impacts of invasive species. Rather, it questions the efficacy of using “anti-invasive” campaigns as a primary driver of environmental awareness at the expense of a nuanced, holistic view of conservation, and connects it to the “fear of the other” and the time-honored tradition of American militarism.