Invasive Carp

Asian Carps (Silver, Bighead, Black, Common, and Grass) are decimating local umbrella and keystone herbivorous fish populations, creating a Trophic cascade of species. Predators like Walleye, Bass, and Northern Pike populations have been dwindeling because the bait fish are getting outcompeted. Everyone theoretically should benefit from most effective carp killing solutions.

The Chicago Sanitary & Shipping Canal was completed, creating a permanent gateway between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River Basins. Which is how the invasive carp get around.

In 1963 grass carp were brought over for federal research and controlling aquatic vegetation. The first believed to escape was in 1966.

In 1972 the first Bighead carp were brought over to improve water quality and fish production in aquaculture. First report of Bighead carp in natural waters was in 1981.

In 1973 Silver carp were introduced for phytoplankton control. In 1976 floods in sewage ponds gave way for the carp to escape.

In 1973 a fish farmer unintentionally received an order of black carp. The first record of escapement of black carp happened in 1994. 

First electric barrier for aquatic nuisance control was built in 1996.

In 2002, Biologists still found carp 21 miles downstream of the experimental fish barrier.

Asian Carp disrupt the interconnectness of people and animals. Since the carp destroy our waters and cause a Trophic Cascade which kills most of the fish, it ruins the environment for not just wild animals but also for humans. Humans can’t thrive without freshwater systems. Asian carp will deplete our water sources even more than they already have.

Environmental stakeholders would probably recommend whatever affects the environment the least and effectively get rid of invasive carp.

The Minnesota DNR is one of the states departments. It is here to create a healthy, sustainable, and livable environment for Minnesotas residents. It conserves and manages MN’s natural resources and manage outdoor recreational activities. The social aspect isn’t that different. Stakeholders want communities to be together, and aquatic activities are a great way to do that. So making the water ecosystem healthier, they would be happy.

The MAISRC is a research facility located on the University of Minnesotas campus. It was built in 1911 as a tractor garage. Their main goal is to research how to eradicate all harmful invasive aquatic species. They offer tours of the facility to teach how destructive these organisms are and how you can help. They just want what’s best for the environment.

US Fish & Wildlife are the only agency whose primary focus is to conserve and manage fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. Their main goal is to preserve our natural resources. The US Fish & Wildlife is nationwide so it doesn’t just affect Minnesota. Their focus on Asian carp is mainly the Midwest though, because of the Great Lakes.

Getting invasive carp out of the US with stop the Trophic cascade that is currently happening. Carp are eating phytoplanktons that small herbivorous fish eat and outcompeting them. Those small herbivorous fish are what predators like walleye, bass, northern pikes, and perch populations have started to decline.

Some factors that might change the decisions of the government may be how it affects the environment, will it generate money, will it generate jobs, what else will it help. Stakeholders who want profit like the idea of getting rid of the invasive carps because of the supply and demand. Getting rid of invasive carp will restore the water systems habitat and hopefully clean the waters.

Stopping the spread and killing Asian carp will restore water systems which will stimulate the growth of more outdoor recreational activities.

Non-Lethal: Oxygen Bubbles/Carbon Dioxide Bubbles, Bio Bullets (make offspring sterile), Taser Gun, Pheromones (deter)

Lethal: Bio Bullets (poison), Pheromones (Keep in or push to location to be taken out), stocking predatory fish

Opinion: I think stocking predatory fish would be the best solution, but I have no facts to back it up. I think stocking river systems with alligator gar who’s population is decreasing or reviving the populations would be the best solution. Since it is the biggest of the freshwater predators it would be well suited for eating the 50+ lb Asian carp. Even stocking musky or northern for the smaller carp would most likely suffice.