Carp Preservation...WHAT???

[KentuckyTJ]

Ok I know what you are thinking...Carp are trash fish right and they all must die!  Yeah me to.

But I had a long conversation with a biologist the other day about how beneficial the fish is to our waterways. He stated that yes most of our lakes and streams are overpopulated with them but there are many that are not. He was worried that killing them in these underpopulated places would be detrimental to the entire system. He is promoting if yours is underpopulated not to take any from it.

Penny for your thoughts???

[ishoot4thrills]

Sounds like BS to me.
They're invasive and they compete with our native species and they reproduce RAPIDLY! They have no place here and I don't hesitate to put an arrow through one every chance I get.

[Kamm1004]

idk how they could ever all die off! those suckers reproduce faster than feral hogs crossed with field mice! We nearly completely drained our irrigation lake last year, I mean there was a foot or two of water left by the time we refilled it. Most of the carp and other fish died, but this year the carp are back big time. Don't ask me how, but its as if there is more carp than ever before. I'm calling bologna on that one

[mjh]

Some biologist??  Carp are invasive, in some areas pervasive and will most likely never be totally eradicated, BUT I sure do wonder about this person worries  about said under populated systems??

We go to wilderness areas with our canoes and fish lakes that are cleaner than Culligan bottled water.  There are no carp in them.  I am trying to imagine how bad a water source has to be when adding a bunch of muck stirring foreign invaders will improve it.  Lets not forget about those jumping carp, we have them in our local Iowa rivers now as well. When I was a kid the Little Sioux river in Iowa would flow clear and it had seaweed, once we found lillypads even.  Now, especially after all the rain, it is turbid mixture of corn stalks that never rot in the fields, hog poop, and dirt, with some h20 thrown in to keep it moving. Maybe, it needs more carp.

[Doc Nock]

Just because someone has a degree doesn't mean all their opinions are scientific!

[don kauss]

At the risk of going against the grain, I am going to add another perspective;

Who decides that ANY given species is "trash?" And furthermore, what are the parameters for the decision? Because, if it's based on categories like "invasive" and "competing with native species" and "fast reproduction," I doubt there is any species more deserving than our own race.

I don't intend to start an argument, but it seems to me that all living things deserve our respect. Those are my thoughts, and you can keep the penny.

[TonyW]

Carpe diem?

No - Carpe carp.

Seize the carp!

[nineworlds9]

Sorry, that sounds like typical 'let's humans reengineer nature' BS.  No thank you Monsanto.  Kill 'em all.  I cannot stand when ignorant people defend invasive species.  We have that here in FL with those danged Muscovy ducks that have threatened our Mallards and other native species.  Too many people think the Muscovys are indigenous and get all bleeding heart about them, feed them and put up "Duck Crossing" signs and such.  Malarkey.

[gringol]

I doubt that guys ideas will ever become accepted management practice.  Its like saying the everglades are better off with pythons.

[old_goat2]

Are all the carp species non-native?

[Burnsie]

Well if there are water systems that are truly under-populated with trash fish,  just give it a year or two and your biologist friend will be able to rest easy.   Once they get in,  they are there to stay and will reproduce like crazy.  They are devastating the rivers in Illinois.  Kill em.

[nick straatmann]

I believe the species of carp the biologist is referring to is the grass carp. Which can be very beneficial to ponds and lakes by keeping the algae levels low and manageable. The big head carp, silver carp or jumping carp are the ones taking over the rivers and streams and threatening other species of fish. Just my thoughts... P.S. Me and a buddy filled a 55 gallon drum with big heads yesterday!

[gringol]

Most algae blooms are caused by elevated nutrients in fertilizer runoff or treated sewage.  A problem we could actual fix at the source if we had the guts.  Carp are not the answer.

[gringol]

Is this trad related?

[nineworlds9]

Well it should stay kinda centered on bow fishing the buggers hopefully

[Chromebuck]

Buffalo carp are a native species.

Those are my thoughts, and you can keep the penny.

 

[don kauss]

“The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?”

― Aldo Leopold

[Brianlocal3]

I say, they are not going anywhere so let's use the very permissive rules to our advantage and go have some fun!!!! It is a blast, great times for the hole FAMILY as you can just have fun and let the kids get out and shoot and run around outdoors. If you are adventurous with your cuisine as I am then find ways to utilize the resource. They taste great smoked or turned into patties.  They also make great fertilizer and animal feed. Carp is wonderful as crawfish bait, trap line baits etc!!!!
Use them , and enjoy the fun. Bowfishing is one of my favorite things to do as it is , well relaxing and FUN

[don kauss]

I agree! Kill all you want, just Respect them.