Bighead carp (via USGS)
Bighead and silver carp can grow up to four feet long and gobble up food that native fish rely on. These invasive fish are in the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers. And if they get into the Great Lakes, they could do enormous damage.
John Dettmers, of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, says one strategy for keeping these massive carp out of the lakes is to find a place for them on our plates. The fish are considered a delicacy in Asia, but have never really caught on as food in the states. Dettmers thinks chefs and marketers could change that.
“Being able to find ways that people can enjoy the fish would be a great way to reduce the risk of big head and silver carp getting into the Great Lakes,” says Dettmers.
Listen to Dettmers explain some of the challenges to getting carp on the menu:
Get Schooled:
- Read more about the threat Asian carp pose to the Great Lakes from the News-Herald.
- Learn more about the idea from Northern Public Radio.
- Check out the Ocean Conservancy’s tips on what you can do to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
The fine print:
- This segment was produced in partnership with Cornell University’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future
