Asian Carps

Asian Carps, native to China and Russia, have become invasive in much of the United States, and they pose great risks to our Great Lakes and aquatic ecosystems. In the 1960/70s, Asian Carps were introduced to aquaculture facilities to control algae growth in fishponds, but with severe flooding events they were able to escape out into the Mississippi River basin and many connected waterways. These 4 different species of Carp; Black Carp, Grass Carp, Bighead Carp and Silver Carp, have large impacts on infested rivers and lakes as they consume a large variety and quantity of food materials, and they quickly outcompete native fish species for food and habitat. While there are no established populations of Asian Carp in Canada, they have been found in tributaries connecting to Lake Erie.