Black Carp

Four species of non-indigenous Asian carp are expanding their range in U.S. waterways, resulting in a variety of concerns. Three species -- bighead, silver, and black carp -- are of particular note, based on the perceived degree of environmental concern. Current controversy relates to what measures might be necessary to prevent movement of Asian carp from the Mississippi River drainage into the Great Lakes through the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). Contents of this report: Background; Potential Impacts; The CAWS; Federal Response to Asian Carp; Litigation; Canadian Concern; Congressional Interest: Current Legislation; Funding and Authority for Ongoing Actions. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.

Asian carp have big appetites and can leap out of the water when startled. They were brought to the United States from their native Asian habitats to control algae growth on fish farms. Find out what happened when some of these big, jumping fish escaped and made their way up the Mississippi River.

As a group, carp provide 4 million metric tonnes of fish annually - over a quarter of all fish culture worldwide. For the first time, a book is available in English that concentrates solely on the carp as an economic rather than an ornamental fish with a panel of international experts producing a comprehensive, practical volume about carp production and management. Starting with a brief look at the biology of cyprinids, the book then discusses the methods and management of carp farming, from water quality to the economics of fish production in ponds. Novel methods to improve stock, including genetic engineering, are covered and case studies give added value to the text. As carp farming turns from traditional to intensive methods, farmers, researchers and technicians in industry will welcome this benchmark volume, which also is a valuable reference book for graduate and postgraduate students and lecturers in aquaculture.

"Proceedings of the Symposium, 'Invasive Asian Carps in North America: a Forum to Understand the Biology and Manage the Problem,' held in Peoria, Illinois, USA, August 22-23, 2006