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Phone: 573-234-2132 |
Columbia FRO biologists are monitoring five Asian carp species in the Lower Missouri River. These are considered Aquatic Nuisance Species. An aquatic nuisance species is a fish, mollusc, or other aquatic organism that is not native to an area and is considered to be a nuisance or threat to native species. The common carp was introduced to the United States in the 1800s and is now considered to be "naturalized". The importations of the other four Asian carp species (grass, bighead, silver, and black) were for use in the aquaculture industry. These carp may be out competing native species for food or habitat resources. We are concerned about the effects that these carp species may be having on native fish and shellfish when released or escaped into the wild. Grass, bighead, and silver carp are found throughout the Mississippi River drainage. Illinois Department of Natural Resources staff reported the first catch of black carp in the wild in March 2003.
| The bighead and silver carp grow to large sizes (50-110 lbs.) and quickly become some of the most abundant fish captured from an area. They have become so abundant in the Missouri River commercial fishermen report catching several hundred pounds in a single net. Columbia FRO staff found juvenile bighead carp in the Missouri River at Overton during and after a flood pulse event in 1997. This indicates that river and floodplain conditions are sometimes suitable for these fish to spawn. Columbia FRO hosted an Asian Carp Management and Control Workshop in 2000 and continues to be involved in Control Plan development. For more details, view the Asian_Carp_Workshop_Report. Our biologists are also working jointly with the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center in their efforts to radiotrack bighead carp. |  Jim Milligan and Jeff Finley with grass carp collected in Missouri River. |
For more information on the Asian carp, view the Region 3 brochure.
