In 2018, USGS and partners completed an incredible feat against a harmful aquatic invasive species when over 240,000 pounds of invasive Silver Carp and Bighead Carp were removed from Creve Coeur Lake in Maryland Heights, Missouri.
Is it possible to eradicate Invasive carp once they are in an area?
Eradicating an established population of invasive 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 invasive carp control is ongoing and documents on the subject are provided through the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee website.
Learn more: Invasive Species We Study: Invasive Carp
Related
Are invasive carp dangerous?
Silver carp (a variety of invasive 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...
Can I eat Asian carp?
Invasive carp of all types have white, firm, mild flesh, which is excellent table fare, but all Invasive carp also have intramuscular bones in the filets that many people find undesirable. Invasive 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...
What are Invasive 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. Invasive carp (bighead, black, grass, and silver carp) were imported to the United States...
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...
Asian Carp Removal in Missouri
In 2018, USGS and partners completed an incredible feat against a harmful aquatic invasive species when over 240,000 pounds of invasive Silver Carp and Bighead Carp were removed from Creve Coeur Lake in Maryland Heights, Missouri.
Detecting Invasive Species in the Field: Portable eDNA Screening Tool
The USGS field tested the use of a portable hand-held kit for the detection of the environmental DNA (eDNA) of Asian carps (bighead carp and silver carp) in water samples as part of on-going invasive species detection research. The goals of the USGS-led research are to develop a method and kit that can be used on-site to detect Asian carp eDNA within one hour.
The USGS field tested the use of a portable hand-held kit for the detection of the environmental DNA (eDNA) of Asian carps (bighead carp and silver carp) in water samples as part of on-going invasive species detection research. The goals of the USGS-led research are to develop a method and kit that can be used on-site to detect Asian carp eDNA within one hour.
Silver Carp Larvae
This image of live silver carp larvae was taken with a microscope camera at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center. Asian carp are invasive species that could pose substantial environmental risks and economic impacts if they become established.
This image of live silver carp larvae was taken with a microscope camera at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center. Asian carp are invasive species that could pose substantial environmental risks and economic impacts if they become established.
Under Siege: Battling Flying Carp and Giant Pythons and How Science Can Help
Over the last several decades, non-native species have continued to invade sensitive ecosystems in the United States. Two high-profile species, Asian carp in the Midwest and Burmese pythons in the Everglades, are the focus of much attention by decision makers, the public and the media.
Over the last several decades, non-native species have continued to invade sensitive ecosystems in the United States. Two high-profile species, Asian carp in the Midwest and Burmese pythons in the Everglades, are the focus of much attention by decision makers, the public and the media.
Silver Carp on the Illinois River
Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) jumping out of the Illinois River.
Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) jumping out of the Illinois River.
Jumping Silver Carp
Silver carp are a large a troublesome invasive species from Asia found in the great rivers of the central United States. Silver carp have been observed to jump 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.
Silver carp are a large a troublesome invasive species from Asia found in the great rivers of the central United States. Silver carp have been observed to jump 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.
Bighead Carp
Bighead carp are a large and troublesome invasive species from Asia found in the great rivers of the central United States.
Bighead carp are a large and troublesome invasive species from Asia found in the great rivers of the central United States.
Related
Are invasive carp dangerous?
Silver carp (a variety of invasive 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...
Can I eat Asian carp?
Invasive carp of all types have white, firm, mild flesh, which is excellent table fare, but all Invasive carp also have intramuscular bones in the filets that many people find undesirable. Invasive 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...
What are Invasive 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. Invasive carp (bighead, black, grass, and silver carp) were imported to the United States...
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...
Asian Carp Removal in Missouri
In 2018, USGS and partners completed an incredible feat against a harmful aquatic invasive species when over 240,000 pounds of invasive Silver Carp and Bighead Carp were removed from Creve Coeur Lake in Maryland Heights, Missouri.
In 2018, USGS and partners completed an incredible feat against a harmful aquatic invasive species when over 240,000 pounds of invasive Silver Carp and Bighead Carp were removed from Creve Coeur Lake in Maryland Heights, Missouri.
Detecting Invasive Species in the Field: Portable eDNA Screening Tool
The USGS field tested the use of a portable hand-held kit for the detection of the environmental DNA (eDNA) of Asian carps (bighead carp and silver carp) in water samples as part of on-going invasive species detection research. The goals of the USGS-led research are to develop a method and kit that can be used on-site to detect Asian carp eDNA within one hour.
The USGS field tested the use of a portable hand-held kit for the detection of the environmental DNA (eDNA) of Asian carps (bighead carp and silver carp) in water samples as part of on-going invasive species detection research. The goals of the USGS-led research are to develop a method and kit that can be used on-site to detect Asian carp eDNA within one hour.
Silver Carp Larvae
This image of live silver carp larvae was taken with a microscope camera at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center. Asian carp are invasive species that could pose substantial environmental risks and economic impacts if they become established.
This image of live silver carp larvae was taken with a microscope camera at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center. Asian carp are invasive species that could pose substantial environmental risks and economic impacts if they become established.
Under Siege: Battling Flying Carp and Giant Pythons and How Science Can Help
Over the last several decades, non-native species have continued to invade sensitive ecosystems in the United States. Two high-profile species, Asian carp in the Midwest and Burmese pythons in the Everglades, are the focus of much attention by decision makers, the public and the media.
Over the last several decades, non-native species have continued to invade sensitive ecosystems in the United States. Two high-profile species, Asian carp in the Midwest and Burmese pythons in the Everglades, are the focus of much attention by decision makers, the public and the media.
Silver Carp on the Illinois River
Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) jumping out of the Illinois River.
Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) jumping out of the Illinois River.
Jumping Silver Carp
Silver carp are a large a troublesome invasive species from Asia found in the great rivers of the central United States. Silver carp have been observed to jump 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.
Silver carp are a large a troublesome invasive species from Asia found in the great rivers of the central United States. Silver carp have been observed to jump 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.
Bighead Carp
Bighead carp are a large and troublesome invasive species from Asia found in the great rivers of the central United States.
Bighead carp are a large and troublesome invasive species from Asia found in the great rivers of the central United States.