An Independent Study of the National Triploid Grass Carp Program

Results of an independent study for the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association to evaluate the US Fish and Wildlife Service's triploid grass carp certification program will be presented. State and Federal agencies were contacted to gather and evaluate rules, regulations and policies that each would utilize to regulate their grass carp programs.  This information includes how states conduct permitting, inspection, reporting and testing of triploid and diploid grass carp.  In addition to gathering regulatory and policy information, each state was queried as to what their rationale may be for their decision to allow/not allow stocking of diploid and/or triploid grass carp.  Commercial producers and shippers of grass carp were also queried, with several site visits conducted to observe how they operate and maintain separation and biosecurity of grass carp.  An overview of the information that was provided by the state agencies, commercial producers and distributors will be summarized along with areas that may allow for the accidental or illegal introduction of grass carp.