CNN video on Asian carp in Illinois River

I don't know if this has been posted here before, but there's a very graphic video news story from CNN on the infestation of the Illinois River by Asian carp (especially bigheads) around Havana, IL. If you've never seen these fish jumping from the water you need to see this video. The reporter, David Mattingly, takes a couple of hard body blows during the story. The report is good in emphasizing how disruptive of ecosystems these fish are, and how they may spread in to Lake Michigan next. The link is:

http://www.emailthis...e...591190&pt=Y

Man, it would be an absolute disaster if these things got into the Great Lakes, and not just ecologically. Try envisioning somebody getting knocked off their jetski by a 30 lb carp....

It would be a good idea for local governments to encourage people to catch and eat these things. I doubt that it would make a huge impact, but at least it's something.

Well, due the appetite of the human race, we've driven many other species to the brink of extinction. If we managed to do it with big fish in the ocean, we can do it with carp in river systems. Take out your forks and knives ladies and gents and lets all develop a sudden taste for grilled carp! In a few years we'll all be laughing at what we thought was going to be a problem with invasive species of carp in the Great Lakes.

Well, due the appetite of the human race, we've driven many other species to the brink of extinction. If we managed to do it with big fish in the ocean, we can do it with carp in river systems. Take out your forks and knives ladies and gents and lets all develop a sudden taste for grilled carp! In a few years we'll all be laughing at what we thought was going to be a problem with invasive species of carp in the Great Lakes.

I wish we could just seine these guys from the river by the tons but it simply will not happen. Illinois has rather restrictive commercial fishing regulations and many of the prime areas to actually dent the carp populations are off limits to commercial fishing. I'm not suggesting we can/should just lift all commercial fishing laws but the commercial fishing has died in the Illinois river. I feel a bounty should have been placed on them once first discovered in the region if the state was serious about saving the river. I hate subsidies but this is one place where a bounty (subsidy) could very well spark an new industry for getting rid of these invasive fishes. On the other hand starting a commercial market on the Illinois river is just asking for trouble. What happens when they rely on a certain annual poundage and it falls short? All other river inhabitants will be next. Very troubling either way you look at it.

I wish we could just seine these guys from the river by the tons but it simply will not happen. Illinois has rather restrictive commercial fishing regulations and many of the prime areas to actually dent the carp populations are off limits to commercial fishing. I'm not suggesting we can/should just lift all commercial fishing laws but the commercial fishing has died in the Illinois river. I feel a bounty should have been placed on them once first discovered in the region if the state was serious about saving the river. I hate subsidies but this is one place where a bounty (subsidy) could very well spark an new industry for getting rid of these invasive fishes. On the other hand starting a commercial market on the Illinois river is just asking for trouble. What happens when they rely on a certain annual poundage and it falls short? All other river inhabitants will be next. Very troubling either way you look at it.

Here is an article about the problem and how some fisherman are making money catching them. Thought everyone would like to read this. Of course if everyone started catching them and selling them, soon there would be no more carp and the government would have to start a restocking program(just kiding).

http://www.npr.org/t...storyId=5542199

Bill

Cool article! I really like the idea of serving it at prisons. Thanks for sharing I know that one of the larger Asian markets around here sells them frozen, but they only import them from China for some reason. Hopefully they'll figure out that home-grown carp are just as good, as well as a lot cheaper to ship

So... who's up for a carp-BQ during the Garvana trip? Maybe we can test this theory I've heard that they're tastier than catfish.

Sorry I was in a sarcastic kind of mood the other day. Seriously, I wish there were a way we could develop some sort of market for carp and commercially fish them. Of course there are the problems that teleost mentioned and it's not that easy with state to state regulations.
From what I read you can take carp for commercial use in Colorado, I don't know about New Mexico since their website is dedicated to the hunting draw results right now ( I was unsuccessful). I didn't really see any bag limits on them in Colorado either. I don't think we have any here in NM, not for carp. Usually when anglers around here catch carp or white suckers they smack 'em with a rock and toss them in the brush for critters to scavange. They're seen as trash fish around here, although a former boss fo mine swore by their taste. He said he loved them smoked or grilled.
Maybe we could get famous chefs on Food Network to come up with carp recipes and do special shows on the overlooked bounty that is carp in our very own river systems. (I just remembered an episode of Iron Chef, the original Japanese version, actually had fresh carp as the secret ingredient.)
Maybe the article is right, the fact that we call it carp and carp are viewed as undesirable is what makes it unappetizing. How about we develop a new name for it for market value?

Maybe the article is right, the fact that we call it carp and carp are viewed as undesirable is what makes it unappetizing. How about we develop a new name for it for market value?

You're right. When people hear the word "carp", they automatically think of the Cyprinus carpio variety commonly found in really dirty, disgusting-looking water at amuseument parks that live off of seagull crap and cheese fries. We need to come up with new names... perhaps "Chinese grassfish" or "bighead" would be more appealing to consumers?

How about "Chinese Silver Comets" (silver carp) and "Regal Golden Flyers" (bigheaded carp)?

You're right. When people hear the word "carp", they automatically think of the Cyprinus carpio variety commonly found in really dirty, disgusting-looking water at amuseument parks that live off of seagull crap and cheese fries. We need to come up with new names... perhaps "Chinese grassfish" or "bighead" would be more appealing to consumers?

Thought some of you might like to know some of the history about the "original" carp. It was actually brought over as a food fish because we were over fishing our lakes and streams.

http://www.carpangle...arphistory.html

http://www.nps.gov/a...ish/history.htm

Bill F.

Greetings,

Since I live on the Illinois River and have some experience with these fish, I figured I'd share a few insights on these creatures.

These carp can leap. While traveling near Havana fishing for bowfin, I've seen these fish leap from the river onto the roadway running parallel to the waterway. A year or two ago, a woman was stuck by what was speculated to be a 40 pound Asian carp while on a personal watercraft. Luckily, those same speculators where near enough to pull her unconscious body from the river. Her face and collarbone were shattered.

Snagging restrictions near dams have been relaxed so that fisherpeople can target these beasties. Catching over 100 pounds of fish is not uncommon

Oddly enough, paddlefish sightings in this area have been on the increase, despite the competition from these invaders. This might be from the relaxed snagging restrictions mentioned above, however...

These fish are indeed tasty. Although they unfortunately share the trait of being bony with their namesake, the bones are real fine. In fact, last October I threw a party where I served king salmon that I had smoked the week before. Little did the party-goers know, but 1/3 of the fish was actually smoked bighead carp. No one knew the difference. Most still do not know. In fact, I received many compliments on the taste of the fish. There is commercial fishing of these fish on the Illinois, but the catch is shipped off to parts unknown. People here wrinkle their noses at the fish because of the 'carp' moniker. These fish apparently have low levels of mercury and pcb's due to the fact that they grow so fast that they do not have the time do accumulate these chemicals in their fat. Also, they reportedly have levels of Omega 3's that exceed that of salmon. Indeed, more people should eat these fish.


Good luck.


Bootzy