State and Other Federal Field Operations Studies: The Future of Herbivorous Fish in the United States,
Abstract
Increasing public interest in grass carp has supported a 'black market' for the fish in some states banning importation. Widespread public interest is attributable to (1) demonstrated effectiveness of grass carp in controlling a variety of nuisance aquatic plants at significantly reduced costs compared to traditional control methods, (2) curosity in the unique biology of grass carp as a temperate-adapted aquatic herbivore, and (3) increased visibility, intensity, and distribution of aquatic plant problems. At present, public use of these fish is permitted in all or part of only ten states, but four of these recently reversed earlier prohibitions, which may signal future changes in other states. Grass carp research is ongoing in over 12 states. The extent of future grass carp use in managing aquatic vegetation is dependent on resolution of both real and perceived conflicts with other water-based renewable natural resources and their management. Resolving these conflicts hinges on mitigating or eliminating the concern for development of self-sustaining grass carp populations in U.S. waters. An economically and politically efficient approach to this problem will be in the development of practical methods to produce large numbers of sterile fish. Evidence for the utility of this approach is available from the dramatic upsurge of national interest accompanying recent production of hybrid grass carp (female grass carp x male bighead carp) which hold potential as a sterile alternative or complement to grass carp.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADP001785
Entities
People
- U. Thomas Jackson
Organizations
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service