Asian Carp Could Threaten Brackish Water Fisheries Too

Asian carp caught in Kentucky Lake. Photo by Steve McCadams

As Activist Angler has reported, the Great Lakes aren’t the only fisheries at risk because of bighead and silver carp.  The invaders threaten riverine impoundments in the Dakotas and natural lakes in Minnesota, as well as reservoirs along the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Ohio River systems.

And now it appears that brackish water fisheries, especially in Louisiana, are endangered as well, according to an article in Houmatoday.com. If that’s the case, we now should worry about shrimp, oysters, crabs, redfish, trout and many other saltwater species.

Here’s an excerpt from the article:

Evidence of bighead and silver carp living in the salty, brackish waters of coastal Louisiana is worrisome because the fish family they belong to is typically restricted to fresh water, U.S. Geological Survey biologist Duane Chapman said.

“Asian carp appear to be the exception, which was a complete shock to us,” Chapman said. “We don’t have any real data yet on the effects of the fish on brackish water populations of other species. We don’t know what will happen, but we are very concerned.”

 Also in Louisiana, chef Philippe Parola, an angler himself, has been leading the way in encouraging fishermen to catch, keep, and eat Asian carp. Check out his website.

For a little light entertainment, check out the silver carp explosion during rowing practice on a lake off the Missouri River, near St. Louis.

Carp Invaders More Adaptable Than Previously Believed

Yeah, like we didn’t see this coming. Researchers have discovered that Asian carp are more adaptable than previously believed.

Remember the warning that mathematician Ian Malcolm issued in “Jurassic Park"? When told that the dinosaurs couldn’t reproduce, he said, “Life finds a way.”

Well, so do Asian carp.

“It looks like the carp can probably become established in a wider range of environmental conditions than once thought,” said Reuben Goforth, an assistant professor of forestry and natural resources at Purdue University.

Translation: The scientists found carp spawning in waters previously believed to be too narrow or too slow moving. They also noted evidence of spawning and eggs drifting in the water as late as September; previously reproduction was believed to end in July.

Read more here.

And be afraid, be very afraid. If you don't believe me, check out this Activist Angler story about a tropical fish --- the Jack Dempsey --- now established in South Dakota. Life finds a way.

The carp are coming, folks. They’re coming to the Upper Missouri, to the inland waters of Minnesota, to fisheries all along the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers, to the Great Lakes, and almost certainly many other waters as well.

When, oh when, will we learn to listen to Jeff Goldblum characters in movies? He also warned us in the remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”  But did we listen? Noooooooo.

Carp Czar Focuses on Carp Threat to Ohio, Mississippi Rivers --- Finally

Carp caught at Kentucky Lake. Photo by Steve McCadams.

Activist Angler has been sounding the alarm for months about Asian carp spreading up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, as well as east into the Cumberland, Tennessee and Ohio systems.

Finally, our federal carp czar, John Goss, has taken note that the Great Lakes aren't the only waters at risk. Isn’t that reassuring?

"Attacking the carp populations in the Ohio and Mississippi rivers needs to be our focus over the next few years," he said recently. "With very limited funding, we haven't been able to jump into it. Hopefully, Congress will recognize that, and we're working with federal staff people to get appropriations.”

Cleveland.com reports that Asian carp have reached Ohio waters of the Ohio River, and moved up the Little Miami River near Cincinnati.  It adds, “The infestation is so bad in Kentucky and Barkley lakes in Kentucky that the first commercial netting contest ever held will target the carp on March 12-13, with a $20,000 top prize. A commercial fisherman in that region told state officials he recently caught 36,000 pounds of carp - in just six hours.”

Goss said commercial netting will be the first wave of defense.

"Commercial fishing is working well on the Illinois River, keeping the bulk of the carp population about 100 miles away from the electric barriers (in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal). This year, netters took 60,000 Asian carp, which means we have a lot less pressure from fish swimming up to the barrier situation."

Following are just a few of articles that Activist Angler has posted to sound the alarm about Asian carp spreading north, east, and south:

Asian Carp also Threaten Southern Fisheries

Minnesota Anglers Urge Action to Stop Asian Carp Invasion

Asian Carp Using New Route to Threaten Minnesota Fisheries

Zebra Mussels Cause Truckload of Trouble for Tourist

Minnesota conservation officers made a remarkable discovery recently in the Duluth area --- a shopping cart covered in zebra mussels resting in the back of a pickup truck.

The owner of the truck thought that he had stumbled upon an interesting souvenir to take back home to North Dakota. He found out otherwise.

Read the story here.

Carp Threat Spreads East

Asian carp aren’t migrating only north and west, threatening the Great Lakes and inland waters in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas.

They’ve also moving east, via the Ohio River system. The Pittsburg Post-Gazette reports that they invaders are reproducing in Kentucky’s Markland Pool, “almost midway between the Mississippi and Pittsburgh’s Point.”

Read the full story here.