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Read an article this week about the great lakes. Carp have been caught within 7 miles of one of the lakes. They fear there may be some there already. They're very concerned, trying to figure out how to stop them. I am hopeful that now we may finally get some real resources behind the problem. When it was just down here it seemed it wasn't as big a deal.
It's a big deal up here already.
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/kentu...ting-thursday/
Our state is throwing a bunch of resources at the Asian carp invasion on KY and Barkley Lakes. KY F&W and Cabinet for Tourism are joining forces. Don't get me wrong, I'm tickled this is happening but we pretty well knew the $$ wasn't going to be in the F&W to do it alone. We figured it was going to take the kid of some politician getting hit in the face by a Silver to get the attention of our legislature.
I read or heard somewhere that there have been DNA water studies done and there is already Asian carp DNA being found in at least one of the Great Lakes.
I have pushed barges through Chicago and to the Great Lakes. They are definitely closer than 7 miles.
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Hard to believe they have let the carp invasion turn into an epidemic. And your right mrdux, it was no problem for politicians as long as they are ruining the oxbows along the river, they start showing up on out in front of their lake houses then it will rattle some cages!
Honestly, I would be rather shocked if they aren't there yet. They do run an electric current through a section of water just before you lock into the lakes in Chicago but heck, I saw a crew member kicking live carp over the side of his boat on the upstream side of the electricity. Poor fella had no idea what he was doing. The lock and dam structures throughout the Mississippi, Illinois, Tennessee, Tombigbee, Ohio and similar river systems are magnets and conduits for these fish. We regularly see hundreds of them at a time in normal locking.
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Be neat if we could attach some electric chains to the tows & ya'll kill 'em as you go.... LOL
My ship has a standing rule on deck. You have to hit them in the head with a fire axe before you toss them back in the water. We get several dozen boardings a weeks, lol.
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A KY commercial fisherman in a catfish forum was trying to educate us on the carp. Some members bad mouthed him because of his line of work and he was removed to shut them up. Since the carp were in most places already he would go months without catching a cat. Seems that KY is doing more than any other state in trying to control them.
My chickens like them. They are good for the garden and they get the whole fish instead of crappie trimmings.
KY is fighting to save KY and Barkley Lakes---PERIOD!!! They told us in the meeting that they have already considered the rivers as a total loss, no effort to do anything there. By throwing the towel in on the rivers, they are clearing the adjoining states (TN,MO,IL,OH,IN,WV,VA) of any effort to help us. The fight for KY and Barkley is not to get rid of them, they admit that will never happen, but to slow the growth of the population. You guys have zero idea how bad it already is.Quote:
Originally Posted by canebreaker
I have every intention to slap the smile off the face of the 1st person I hear griping about the nets being used to fight the carp invasion.
I have taken offense when our federal government began trying to save "The Great Lakes". There are several members of congress that were probably in the House or the Senate when the fed's agreed in the 70's that these fish could not and would not survive the environment of the Mighty Mississippi River. Now, almost 40 years later, they want to try to save The Great Lakes. What is so special about the Great Lakes when these fish have ruined and currently ruining lakes, rivers, waterways and watersheds as we sit here.
They refuse to hold anyone accountable, neglecting to remember they started this problem, and now we have this epidemic, invasion, catastrophic environmental event and all they are worried about is 5 lakes, not the many bodies of water that are suffering now. Then we have the hardworking men and women that are willing to eradicate these invaders each and everyday through netting, but they can't even break even or make it justifiable to continue. Its like begging people to work for below minimum wage salaries!
Doug and I were at the recent meeting with the state f&w and the state tourism committee where they are going to try to step on f&w's neck to get this under control. But, as we all told them they need to get out their checkbooks and increase the price for the commercial fisherman. If they would do that, these fish will begin to have a large number of enemies. Just not sure if they are willing to pay, but our environment is paying.
Things that these fish do thrive on is current, current, and more current. With the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers do provide is consistent current. Ky Lake and Lake Barkley consistently have some type or volume of current, more than most lakes. The smaller rivers and tributaries that these fish have taken over farther north can erupt into some very dangerous situations when they get spooked. Hence, they are or become bottle necked into the nets and those fisherman are weighing in on the easy days.
Our commercial fisherman here on the twin lakes will tell you these fish are adapting to the nets and pressures of the commercial fisherman. It's a constant battle of hide and go seek, so some days are very lean days, but then they find them and will have a very good day. Also, the fisherman are setting lower goals of weight due to the low paying prices, hence they are trying not to tear up equipment, trucks, axles, trailers, motors, ect trying to move, haul or transport 1,000 of 1,000 pounds of fish daily for very little profit or none at all.
One things for sure, our government has ruined many, many lakes and rivers for their poor decisions and inadequate science decades ago, but again what bothers me the most is that they are only worried about 5 lakes in this entire country! This entire country needs to take this invasion to heart, learn all that you can about these fish, and get your local, state and federal lawmakers involved. When they figure out that their future will be determined by what is actually done about these fish, and action taking place then we might begin to see some light.
Heck, just introduce the carp to California and there would be a solution to the problem fast. I know it has no relevance to the subject, but it still boggles me how one state can dictate the emission requirements of 49 others! Seems now the only environmental concerns that are taking seriously are the ones that the government can directly or indirectly profit from, and there is where the problem lays with the carp problem, no monetary incentive for the politicians or lobbyist in DC!
Here's my solution: Make it mandatory that everybody (bank, boat, jet skis, crusiers) that goes on the lake has to put out a 300 ft gill net.
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And, retrieve it. I have spent 5 years pulling nets every winter on my Lake. Reducing the ROUGH fish population works. It has got to be done on a regular, consistent? basis. Since the Chinese processing plant closed, I have been feeding the AC to pigs. Buffalo, Grass Carp, et al. I sell. AT least I have been able to make sport fishing better & pay for my nets ($2000+). There is very few commercial fishermen left, most have gotten out or gotten too old. A commercial fishing licence costs $33.50. A 300 ft gill net costs about $300. I can catch 3000 lbs. in a 12 hour set in one 300 ft net.
The carp are smarter than a sport fish. They learn very quickly to avoid the net. Even when you "drive" them. SOmetimes they will even jump over the net or go around it. What works is a "Fish Trap" type arrangement where you have a box at the center & long wings on either side. A lot of trouble & work to set out, but if large enough you can leave it for a while
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The only "current" AC like is around spawning time. They will survive & thrive anywhere there is plankton/zooplankton. They prefer the upper water column. Notice when an AC infested lake "turns over". I'll be glad to give any & all AC fishing lessons any time!!
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KY F&W is giving netting lessons, helping off-set the cost of nets, giving free license for Asian carp netters but he only thing that will get more fishermen on the water is getting the price up high enough to make it profitable AND getting buyers closer to the lakes so they don't have to trailer the fish 50 miles to current buyers/processors. We have 3 process plants our area but none are near the lakes.
At least there starting to work on the problem. Maybe with pressure from the tourism people they'll start putting effort in to finding a way to target these fish that won't hurt the others.
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what do they do with them ??? and what does the process plant do ???Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdux
Process into fresh fillets for $7.99/lb, and frozen fillets for $4.99/lb. They also a variety of other products like paste that alot of Asian cultures use on a regular basis.
The remains and rotten fish that did not make the cut are then grind down for another variety of products including fertilizer pet foods, ect.
These products are shipped world wide right here in Western Kentucky. The state meeting that we attended 2 weeks ago said the demand is very high, and we know and they know we have a very high level of inventory, but the problem is not the supply but the means of how the supply chain is paid. It's just not worth it for top payout of $0.15/lb.
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people eat them things ????Quote:
Originally Posted by bandchaser
They are a very clean, white flaky meat that many chefs are serving in a variety of large cities.Quote:
Originally Posted by strmwalker
A few names of Asian carp are Silver Fin, KY Tuna, or Ky White Fish. They are very healthy from the research I have done. Here is an article from several years ago:
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/us/22carp.html
I personally have not tried it because I can't get past the name, and I know what they smell like when they invade your space inside your boat. The smell when it drys will make magets vomit.
I am sure Doug can get some for this year's Fall Shindig in November, and we can fry it up for everyone to try.
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you like me I can't get past the name of them either plus you can't forget about the smell !!! I won't even think about eating them things !!!Quote:
Originally Posted by bandchaser
[QUOTE
I personally have not tried it because I can't get past the name, and I know what they smell like when they invade your space inside your boat. The smell when it drys will make maggots vomit.
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We had one jump over our bulwarks and through and open hatch to our engine room. Flopped down to the lower engine room and landed squarely on one of the main engines running about 190°..... that smell would kill a pig!
My hat is off to Kentucky. Regardless of how it ultimately happened, they are leading the charge and setting an example for the rest of the affected states. Eventually there will need to be a multi state coalition against these fish.
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At a catfish gathering at Ken Lakes Resort. A member quick fried some fish. Told everyone to fix their plates and wait for the hot fish on their plates. I put hot sauce and dill dip on mine. Ok, good, not crappie. Was told it was Asian carp at the end of the dinner. Ok, I tried it, don't eat it cool.
I have eaten Siver carp several times. I've bought it and fed it at the KY Lake ShinDig and the KY SpringFling at Green River Lake. Yes, it's not crappie but what other fish do we commonly catch in our lakes and eat that is as good as crappie? For me, the only one would be sauger/walleye.
The Silver carp meat is flaky white and tastes like cod. When my wife and I go out to eat fish at a couple of local restaurants, I will normally order cod. If the Silver carp was on their menu, I would order it. Very few folks who are fans of fish will honestly say the carp doesn't have a good taste. There again, put it on a plate and don't tell most what it is and they will say they like it. Say the word "carp" and many will turn up their noses. That is their choice. It is considered a delicacy in most other parts of the world and is the largest selling fish species in the world, just not here yet.
The main issue I, and most others, have is the bone structure in this carp being similar to the Y-bones in pike or other northern fish. Most folks try to fillet around the bones, many other just cook the fillet and take the bones out. They are large enough to be easily removed that way.
Unless there is a commercial eatery market for the carp, the commercial fishermen will never get the prices they need to stay in business catching them. Pet food and fertilizer markets aren't going to pay the 15 cents per pound price that has been set as a minimum price for the carp in the rough.
I live about 20 miles from Havana Il. This is where Nat. Geo and others film their specials on Asian Carp. They have ruined the Illinois River for any recreational boating. It is dangerous to fish and you really need to stay on alert when running a boat there. I got hit in the head by a 10lb silver a few years ago and it really rang my bell. I have gone to fishing lakes rather than the river because of them. I now drive 40 to 80 miles each way to fish instead of 20 miles. A friend of mine was the president of the Il. comercial fishermen and told me that with the asians making up aprox. 90% of the bio mass of the river that commercial fishermen could reduce that to 5% if the money were there to make it profitable. It requires heaver nets, and closer processing plants also. It's a shame that the Government didn't care until the ultra rich at Lake Michigan in Chicago became worried and even now it might and probably is to late.
National Geographic has a lot of video's out on the asian carp. Here is one for your viewing pleasure:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p0Mu_z7VK4
Thanks for the link, around the 5:30 mark the narrator mentions in their native Asia these fish were kept in check by natural predators. He never mentioned who or what those natural predators were though?Quote:
Originally Posted by bandchaser
As you saw in the video the problem in our area around Havana in the Il. river is totally out of hand. It is hard to believe that 30 years ago we boated and played in the river with our kids. If you tried to pull a tube or ski now you would be killed or at least seriously hurt. We have lost a great eco system and I hope everyone takes head and does what they can to stop the spread. Please whatever you do don't put a live one back in the water. Kill them all. We used to be able to catch 12 and 13 inch crappie in the back waters and side sloughs. Those days are gone. I know people see them jump and think they are cool but they are a menace that needs to be stopped.
Is there anything we can send to Asia for revenge. Just kidding but similar invasive species must be doing as bad or worse all around the world. Seems like something is keeping it from being addressed seriously?
Just saying, maybe now...whatever it takes.