Asian Carp in the Upper Mississippi – Jump Starting a Response Plan

Threats from several species of non-native, highly invasive fish, known collectively as Asian carp, have been building for over a decade in the Upper Mississippi Basin.  Two of these carp species, bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), have variously been collected from the system (e.g. Lower St. Croix River, Lake Pepin) since the mid-nineteen nineties.  Currently, no reproducing population of either species has been detected in the Upper Mississippi.  Though response to the threat these animals may pose has been slow, recent actions are beginning to address this oversight.

In January of 2011, the National Park Service (Mississippi National River and Recreation Area) convened an Asian Carp Task Force to begin to develop a strategy to meet the invasion.  Participation has been diverse.  The Task Force (now co-chaired by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) includes the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Hastings, the St. Paul Port Authority, the shipping industry, the University of Minnesota, Wisconsin DNR, Minnesota DOT, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other.  The current focus is on determining presence at various locations on the St. Croix, Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, identifying ways to stop or slow the spread, and building a long term plan to support methods of control. These activities will be highlighted.  Species ecology, history of the invasion and other agency objectives will also be explored.