Conservation Connection: Eating Asian Carp

(KPLR) – They wreak havoc in and over crowd our river ecosystems, they out compete native fish, and they even smack boaters in mid-air.  We’re talking about Asian carp on Conservation Connection.  River ecologist Quinton Phelps tells us more about these aquatic invaders, and how we can fight back – by eating them!

Q.  First of all, what are these things and how did they get here?

• 2 species—big head and silver carp
• Large plankton-eating fish
• Originally imported from Asiato aquaculture facilities in Arkansas to control water quality
• Escaped and spread throughout the Mississippi River basin.
• Carps can now be found in 23 of the United States open waters

Q. What kinds of problems do they cause in the river?

• Habitat alterations
• Out-compete native species for food
• Overcrowding
• Negative impact on floodplains
• Dangerous to boaters

Q. Sounds like a fish that deserves to be eaten . . . but can they be?

• Yes! . . . Blind taste test of Asian carp vs. tilapia and catfish with 300 people participating…. over half chose Asian carp as tasting the best
• Being plankton feeders means little chance of absorbing contaminants, so they’re safe
• Easy to fillet (demonstrate)
• Cooking ideas . . . ?

Help protect our rivers and fight back against the invaders—catch them, cook them and eat them!