Asian Carp are native to Asia but have been introduced in many other areas as a food fish. In the US they escaped and are now widespread in all of the Mississippi River drainage. There is fear they will get into the Great Lakes.
These carp eat huge amounts of plankton and remove this critical food from the food chain, hurting all native species. They also take food from native filter feeders like paddlefish. Growing up to 100 pounds and 40 inches long, they can eat up to 40 percent of their body weight. They also jump when frightened, so when a boat passes they may jump up and hit boaters and skiers. Some have been injured and a few killed.
Asian Carp Are Causing Huge Problems
Asian Carp Are Causing Huge Problems originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Sunday, December 13th, 2009 at 11:34:48.
Permalink | Comment […]
Original post by FWC Fishing News
Read the full article. Click on the "original post by" author/publication link.