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 in the 1970s as a method to control nuisance algal blooms in wastewater treatment plants and aquaculture ponds as well as for human food. Within ten years, the carp escaped confinement and spread to the waters of the Mississippi River basin and other large rivers like the Missouri and Illinois.
Invasive carp are in direct competition with native aquatic species for food and habitat. Their rapid population increase is disrupting the ecology and food web of the large rivers of the Midwest. In areas where invasive carp are abundant, they have harmed native fish communities and interfered with commercial and recreational fishing.
Experts are extremely concerned about the consequences of invasive carp invading the Great Lakes, where the carp would negatively affect the $7 billion-a-year fishing industry.
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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...
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...
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...
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- FAQ
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...
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...
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...
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