Have you seen these jumping carps?
😫 Invasive Jumping Carps in the Mississippi River: Depleting Food Resources for Native Species 🐢
These invasive carp originated in Asia, including silver, bighead, black, and grass carp, were initially introduced to U.S. aquaculture facilities with the intention of controlling algae and parasites in 1970s. However, they escaped during flooding events and spread rapidly through rivers and canals.
The rapid invasion of invasive carp in Midwest rivers, with a 1,200 carp per river kilometer density, has significantly impacted the river ecosystem. Particularly, silver and bighead carp became dominant in the lower and middle Mississippi River, while black carp pose a threat to native mussels. They also compete with native fish for food, leading to declines in zooplankton populations and affecting the overall food chain. Native fish species such as Gizzard Shad and Bigmouth Buffalo that rely on similar food resources have declined, while invasive carp have become dominant. The presence of Invasive carp also alters the structure of aquatic ecosystems, disrupts habitats, and may contribute to disease transmission. Additionally, they feed on zooplankton near the water's surface and are highly sensitive to disturbances. When disturbed, they can jump up to 10 feet. Their jumping can lead to collisions with boats, causing injuries to passengers and water skiers.
There have been numerous efforts to remove invasive carp from Midwest rivers involving physical barriers, commercial fishing, research and monitoring, public awareness campaigns, innovative technologies, and collaboration among various stakeholders. These strategies aim to prevent the spread of invasive carp, reduce their populations, and mitigate their ecological impacts.
Sources: https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-are-invasive-carp
https://www.nps.gov/miss/learn/nature/ascarpover.htm
Video footage: 'Jumping Carps explained' by Discovery