Invasive Species Project Invasive Species Project The Common Carp

What is an invasive species?  An invasive species is a non-native species whose introduction causes or will cause future damage.  Have no natural predators.  Several species of domestic animals including pets and livestock have escaped into the wild and become invasive.  An invasive species is a non-native species whose introduction causes or will cause future damage.  Have no natural predators.  Several species of domestic animals including pets and livestock have escaped into the wild and become invasive.

Some invasive species  Feral dogs, cats, pigs, rats, and goats  Nutria  Horses, Donkeys  Mexican gray squirrel  Deer  Bison  Opossum  Reindeer  House shrew  Feral dogs, cats, pigs, rats, and goats  Nutria  Horses, Donkeys  Mexican gray squirrel  Deer  Bison  Opossum  Reindeer  House shrew

Introducing….. THE COMMON CARP

Koi

Description  Lower fins often reddish  Generally grow to 30in and pounds  Carp are bronze to greenish with a light underside.  Largest member of the minnow family  one of the most damaging aquatic invasive species due to its wide distribution  Lower fins often reddish  Generally grow to 30in and pounds  Carp are bronze to greenish with a light underside.  Largest member of the minnow family  one of the most damaging aquatic invasive species due to its wide distribution

Origin  Migrated naturally to the Black and Aral seas. And have been known to travel east into Siberia and China as far as the Danube River.

Introduction to the U.S.  Its introduction to the American continent took place during the first half of the nineteenth century.  Originally introduced in the U.S. as a food source.  Established in 48 states.  Its introduction to the American continent took place during the first half of the nineteenth century.  Originally introduced in the U.S. as a food source.  Established in 48 states.

Spawning  Spawning carp in shallow waters create a lot of commotion, and can be easily observed.  One female carp can lay over a million eggs in one season.  Males out number females  Spawning carp in shallow waters create a lot of commotion, and can be easily observed.  One female carp can lay over a million eggs in one season.  Males out number females

Affects On Ecosystems  Carp cause an increase in water turbidity and a decrease in aquatic plants and invertebrates.  Prey on the eggs of other fishes and their foraging activities can destroy spawning beds of more native species.  Carp cause an increase in water turbidity and a decrease in aquatic plants and invertebrates.  Prey on the eggs of other fishes and their foraging activities can destroy spawning beds of more native species.

Previous Control Efforts.  The most ecologically sound method to reduce common carp populations is to improve the water clarity.  Barriers such as metal grates can be placed over culverts and streams to prevent future entry of adult carp.  The most ecologically sound method to reduce common carp populations is to improve the water clarity.  Barriers such as metal grates can be placed over culverts and streams to prevent future entry of adult carp.

Our Plan Of Action  Design a prototype.  Pitch idea to food company.  Test and collect data.  Start mass production.  Distribute to infected ecosystems.  Design a prototype.  Pitch idea to food company.  Test and collect data.  Start mass production.  Distribute to infected ecosystems.

Thank you for listening.