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Is it possible to eradicate Asian carp once they are in an area?

Eradicating an established population of Asian carp would be extremely difficult and expensive, if possible at all.

Potential control methods include the use of fish poisons, physical barriers, physical removal, habitat alteration, or the addition of predators, parasites, or pathogens. Research on Asian carp control is ongoing as part of the Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework

Learn more: USGS Invasive Species Program - Asian Carp

Related Content

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Asian Carp mouth showing gills.

Are Asian carp dangerous?

Silver carp (a variety of Asian carp) are easily disturbed and will jump as much as 10 feet into the air in response to rocks thrown in the water, passing trains, geese taking off from the water, or just when they unexpectedly find themselves in a tight place. They also jump at the sound of outboard motors, often landing in boats and sometimes striking the passengers. With a boat speed of over 20...

link

Are Asian carp dangerous?

Silver carp (a variety of Asian carp) are easily disturbed and will jump as much as 10 feet into the air in response to rocks thrown in the water, passing trains, geese taking off from the water, or just when they unexpectedly find themselves in a tight place. They also jump at the sound of outboard motors, often landing in boats and sometimes striking the passengers. With a boat speed of over 20...

Learn More
link
Silver Carp - UMESC

Can I eat Asian carp?

Asian carp of all types have white, firm, mild flesh, which is excellent table fare, but all Asian carp also have intramuscular bones in the filets that many people find undesirable. Asian carp feed low on the food web, are fast growing, are low in fat in the filets, and are not usually bottom feeders — all properties of fish that are lower in contaminants. Like any fish taken from inland waters...

link

Can I eat Asian carp?

Asian carp of all types have white, firm, mild flesh, which is excellent table fare, but all Asian carp also have intramuscular bones in the filets that many people find undesirable. Asian carp feed low on the food web, are fast growing, are low in fat in the filets, and are not usually bottom feeders — all properties of fish that are lower in contaminants. Like any fish taken from inland waters...

Learn More
link
Asian carp captured on the Wabash River

What are Asian Carp?

Carp are not native to North American waters, but various carp species have been introduced here since the mid-1800s, much to the detriment of native fish. Although carp eradication measures have been active for over 100 years, long-established species, like the common carp, are present in almost every state.Asian carp (bighead, black, grass, and silver carp) were imported to the United States in...

link

What are Asian Carp?

Carp are not native to North American waters, but various carp species have been introduced here since the mid-1800s, much to the detriment of native fish. Although carp eradication measures have been active for over 100 years, long-established species, like the common carp, are present in almost every state.Asian carp (bighead, black, grass, and silver carp) were imported to the United States in...

Learn More
link
Image: Adult Lionfish

What is an invasive species and why are they a problem?

An invasive species is an introduced, nonnative organism (disease, parasite, plant, or animal) that begins to spread or expand its range from the site of its original introduction and that has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health.A few well-known examples include the unintentional introduction of the West Nile virus, chestnut blight, the South American...

link

What is an invasive species and why are they a problem?

An invasive species is an introduced, nonnative organism (disease, parasite, plant, or animal) that begins to spread or expand its range from the site of its original introduction and that has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health.A few well-known examples include the unintentional introduction of the West Nile virus, chestnut blight, the South American...

Learn More
Silver Carp jumping out of water
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link
Silver Carp - UMESC
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Black carp sample being preserved for genetic study
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Image: Grass Carp
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Image: Silver Carp Larvae
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video thumbnail: Under Siege: Battling Flying Carp and Giant Pythons and How Science Can Help
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Jumping Silver Carp
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Asian Carp mouth showing gills.
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UMESC Scientist showing Silver Carp on left and Bighead Carp on right
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A Silver Carp tagged with an acoustic transmitter (black tag located on the fish’s back) to monitor movement in the field. Fish
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Silver Carp, Illinois River
link
Image: Bighead Carp
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"Modified Unified Method" of carp capture

Populations of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (silver carp) and Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (bighead carp), (together referred to herein as “bigheaded carp”) have increased exponentially in the greater Mississippi River Basin. Detrimental effects on native fish and economically important fisheries have occurred where these invasive, filter-feeding fish are abundant. The Unified Method, a harvest techn
By
Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

USGS science and technology help managers battle invading Asian carp

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts Asian carp research focused on early detection, risk assessment, and development of control tools and strategies. The goals are to prevent the establishment of invasive Asian carp in the Great Lakes and to reduce their impacts in the Ohio River and Mississippi River Basins and elsewhere. Managers can use the information, tools, and strategies for early de
By
Ecosystems

Invasive Species Science Branch: research and management tools for controlling invasive species

Invasive, nonnative species of plants, animals, and disease organisms adversely affect the ecosystems they enter. Like “biological wildfires,” they can quickly spread and affect nearly all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Invasive species have become one of the greatest environmental challenges of the 21st century in economic, environmental, and human health costs, with an estimated effect in t
By
Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center

Asian carp behavior in response to static water gun firing

The potential for invasion of Asian carp into the Great Lakes has ecological and socio-economic implications. If they become established, Asian carp are predicted to alter lake ecosystems and impact commercial and recreational fisheries. The Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal is an important biological conduit between the Mississippi River Basin, where invasive Asian carp are abundant, and the Gr
By
Ecosystems, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

The National Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Program maintains a database that monitors, records, and analyzes sightings of nonindigenous aquatic plant and animal species throughout the United States. The program is based at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Gainesville, Florida.The initiative to maintain scientific information on nationwide occurrences of no
By
Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Facts About Invasive Bighead and Silver Carps

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists at the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, Missouri, carry out basic and applied research on the ecology of invasive fishes in the Missouri and Mississippi river basins. Emphasis is placed on improving understanding of the life cycles of bighead and silver carp to provide information needed to manage these aggressively invasive spec
By
Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Aquatic invasive species

Invasive species are plants or animals that are present in an ecosystem beyond their native range. They may have few natural controls in their new environment and proliferate. They can threaten native species and interfere with human activities. The Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC) has been conducting research to understand how non-native species invade and affect ecosystems, thus aiding m
By
Ecosystems, Fisheries Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)
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Newly Hatched Invasive Grass Carp Found in Maumee River, Ohio

A genetic analysis conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey recently confirmed that  larval, or newly hatched, fish collected from the Maumee River...

Read Article
link

Asian Carp Would Have Adequate Food to Survive in Lake Michigan

If invasive bighead carp and silver carp spread into Lake Michigan, there would be enough food available for these particular species of Asian carp to...

Read Article
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Asian Carp Would Have Adequate Food to Survive in Lake Erie

If invasive bighead carp and silver carp spread into Lake Erie, there would be enough food available for these species of Asian carp to survive...
Read Article

Related Content

  • FAQ
    link
    Asian Carp mouth showing gills.

    Are Asian carp dangerous?

    Silver carp (a variety of Asian carp) are easily disturbed and will jump as much as 10 feet into the air in response to rocks thrown in the water, passing trains, geese taking off from the water, or just when they unexpectedly find themselves in a tight place. They also jump at the sound of outboard motors, often landing in boats and sometimes striking the passengers. With a boat speed of over 20...

    link

    Are Asian carp dangerous?

    Silver carp (a variety of Asian carp) are easily disturbed and will jump as much as 10 feet into the air in response to rocks thrown in the water, passing trains, geese taking off from the water, or just when they unexpectedly find themselves in a tight place. They also jump at the sound of outboard motors, often landing in boats and sometimes striking the passengers. With a boat speed of over 20...

    Learn More
    link
    Silver Carp - UMESC

    Can I eat Asian carp?

    Asian carp of all types have white, firm, mild flesh, which is excellent table fare, but all Asian carp also have intramuscular bones in the filets that many people find undesirable. Asian carp feed low on the food web, are fast growing, are low in fat in the filets, and are not usually bottom feeders — all properties of fish that are lower in contaminants. Like any fish taken from inland waters...

    link

    Can I eat Asian carp?

    Asian carp of all types have white, firm, mild flesh, which is excellent table fare, but all Asian carp also have intramuscular bones in the filets that many people find undesirable. Asian carp feed low on the food web, are fast growing, are low in fat in the filets, and are not usually bottom feeders — all properties of fish that are lower in contaminants. Like any fish taken from inland waters...

    Learn More
    link
    Asian carp captured on the Wabash River

    What are Asian Carp?

    Carp are not native to North American waters, but various carp species have been introduced here since the mid-1800s, much to the detriment of native fish. Although carp eradication measures have been active for over 100 years, long-established species, like the common carp, are present in almost every state.Asian carp (bighead, black, grass, and silver carp) were imported to the United States in...

    link

    What are Asian Carp?

    Carp are not native to North American waters, but various carp species have been introduced here since the mid-1800s, much to the detriment of native fish. Although carp eradication measures have been active for over 100 years, long-established species, like the common carp, are present in almost every state.Asian carp (bighead, black, grass, and silver carp) were imported to the United States in...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Adult Lionfish

    What is an invasive species and why are they a problem?

    An invasive species is an introduced, nonnative organism (disease, parasite, plant, or animal) that begins to spread or expand its range from the site of its original introduction and that has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health.A few well-known examples include the unintentional introduction of the West Nile virus, chestnut blight, the South American...

    link

    What is an invasive species and why are they a problem?

    An invasive species is an introduced, nonnative organism (disease, parasite, plant, or animal) that begins to spread or expand its range from the site of its original introduction and that has the potential to cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health.A few well-known examples include the unintentional introduction of the West Nile virus, chestnut blight, the South American...

    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    Silver Carp jumping out of water
    link
    link
    Silver Carp - UMESC
    link
    Black carp sample being preserved for genetic study
    link
    Image: Grass Carp
    link
    Image: Silver Carp Larvae
    link
    link
    video thumbnail: Under Siege: Battling Flying Carp and Giant Pythons and How Science Can Help
    link
    Jumping Silver Carp
    link
    Asian Carp mouth showing gills.
    link
    UMESC Scientist showing Silver Carp on left and Bighead Carp on right
    link
    A Silver Carp tagged with an acoustic transmitter (black tag located on the fish’s back) to monitor movement in the field. Fish
    link
    Silver Carp, Illinois River
    link
    Image: Bighead Carp
    link
  • Publications

    "Modified Unified Method" of carp capture

    Populations of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (silver carp) and Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (bighead carp), (together referred to herein as “bigheaded carp”) have increased exponentially in the greater Mississippi River Basin. Detrimental effects on native fish and economically important fisheries have occurred where these invasive, filter-feeding fish are abundant. The Unified Method, a harvest techn
    By
    Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

    USGS science and technology help managers battle invading Asian carp

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts Asian carp research focused on early detection, risk assessment, and development of control tools and strategies. The goals are to prevent the establishment of invasive Asian carp in the Great Lakes and to reduce their impacts in the Ohio River and Mississippi River Basins and elsewhere. Managers can use the information, tools, and strategies for early de
    By
    Ecosystems

    Invasive Species Science Branch: research and management tools for controlling invasive species

    Invasive, nonnative species of plants, animals, and disease organisms adversely affect the ecosystems they enter. Like “biological wildfires,” they can quickly spread and affect nearly all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Invasive species have become one of the greatest environmental challenges of the 21st century in economic, environmental, and human health costs, with an estimated effect in t
    By
    Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center

    Asian carp behavior in response to static water gun firing

    The potential for invasion of Asian carp into the Great Lakes has ecological and socio-economic implications. If they become established, Asian carp are predicted to alter lake ecosystems and impact commercial and recreational fisheries. The Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal is an important biological conduit between the Mississippi River Basin, where invasive Asian carp are abundant, and the Gr
    By
    Ecosystems, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

    The National Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Program maintains a database that monitors, records, and analyzes sightings of nonindigenous aquatic plant and animal species throughout the United States. The program is based at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Gainesville, Florida.The initiative to maintain scientific information on nationwide occurrences of no
    By
    Ecosystems, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

    Facts About Invasive Bighead and Silver Carps

    The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists at the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), Columbia, Missouri, carry out basic and applied research on the ecology of invasive fishes in the Missouri and Mississippi river basins. Emphasis is placed on improving understanding of the life cycles of bighead and silver carp to provide information needed to manage these aggressively invasive spec
    By
    Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

    Aquatic invasive species

    Invasive species are plants or animals that are present in an ecosystem beyond their native range. They may have few natural controls in their new environment and proliferate. They can threaten native species and interfere with human activities. The Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC) has been conducting research to understand how non-native species invade and affect ecosystems, thus aiding m
    By
    Ecosystems, Fisheries Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)
  • News
    link

    Newly Hatched Invasive Grass Carp Found in Maumee River, Ohio

    A genetic analysis conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey recently confirmed that  larval, or newly hatched, fish collected from the Maumee River...

    Read Article
    link

    Asian Carp Would Have Adequate Food to Survive in Lake Michigan

    If invasive bighead carp and silver carp spread into Lake Michigan, there would be enough food available for these particular species of Asian carp to...

    Read Article
    link

    Asian Carp Would Have Adequate Food to Survive in Lake Erie

    If invasive bighead carp and silver carp spread into Lake Erie, there would be enough food available for these species of Asian carp to survive...
    Read Article