Micra's Recommendation for a National Policy Strategy for Grass Carp

The Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA) contracted HDR, Inc. to complete a national analysis of the commercial Grass Carp industry in the United States and to provide recommendations to prevent unintentional and illegal introductions of diploid and triploid Grass Carp.  Seven states in the continental United States allow stocking of diploid Grass Carp to control nuisance aquatic vegetation. Each of these diploid states borders at least two other states that either prohibit all Grass Carp or restrict their use to triploid Grass Carp only. HDR concluded that a national policy strategy is needed to effectively minimize the risks of unintentional and illegal Grass Carp introductions. Based on the results of the national analysis, recommendations provided by HDR, comments from state and federal natural resources management agencies, and Grass Carp industry representatives, MICRA proposed a set of eight recommendations to establish a consistent national policy strategy for Grass Carp. MICRA organized this Grass Carp symposium to provide the states with current information on environmental impacts of Grass Carp, distribution and establishment of Grass Carp in the United States, and the effects of diploid Grass Carp regulations on other states’ efforts to prevent the introduction and establishment of Grass Carp populations.