DIRECTED HARVEST OF ASIAN CARPS IN UKRAINE

To decrease abundance of Asian Carp (AC = Silver & Bighead Carp) in water bodies where they cause negative impacts, without a doubt, people must be responsible for affecting the decline.  There are no selective piscicides for controlling AC.  Total fish removal and restocking is expensive and can cause public displeasure.  Thus, experience of other countries that face AC issues can help inform others dealing with similar problems.  For instance, directed AC harvest in Sula Bay (Ukraine) started in 1991, and the most successful fishing gears that increased AC harvest while minimizing native fish catches have been identified.  Annually, 500-700 gill nets 70 m long and 3 m high with mesh size 110–150 mm were used.  Catches ranged from 59 to 326 tons.  There was a steady increase in the proportion of AC caught during directed AC harvest and averaged 40% during 1997-2000, increased to 58% during 2001-2005,  and averaged 67% from 2006-2010.  In 2011 the catches of AC decreased sharply, and in 2012 this activity was stopped.  Therefore, directed harvest towards AC lasted about twenty years; however, we decreased AC abundance, preserved native fish biodiversity, saved finances, and did not disturb public opinion.