Asian Carp Battle Continues

Home

This page brought to you by:

ASIAN CARP ADVISORY MEETS

The Asian Carp Advisory Commission heard a presentation on bio-acoustic fish fence, the Asian Carp Harvest Incentive Program, and established committees to address marketing and business development.

It was the second meeting for the Commission held at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Region II Building on April 1. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed an Executive Order in September 2020 establishing the Asian Carp Advisory Commission to study and provide advice regarding the best methods for mitigating the invasion of Asian carp into the state’s lakes and river systems. State Senator Mike Bell is serving as the Commission chair.

Dr. Teresa Lewis, Director of the Midwest Fisheries Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, joined the meeting by Zoom to make a presentation on the bio-acoustic fish fence (BAFF). A BAFF sends a curtain of bubble, sound, and light from the riverbed to the water surface to guide or block fish. The BAFF, part of an experimental project, was unveiled at Barkley lock in late 2019.

TWRA Fisheries Chief Frank Fiss, who also serves on the commission, gave an introduction on the Asian Carp Harvest Incentive Program (ACHIP). Since it was implemented in September 2018, close to 7 million pounds of Asian carp have been removed from the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers.

Rob Goad, from the Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee, was a guest to give the county’s perspective. Clay Young, of North American Caviar was also a guest to give a wholesaler fish dealer’s perspective in ACHIP.

Near the conclusion of the meeting, a Business Development committee was formed. TWRA Assistant Director Chris Richardson, along with Advisory Commission members and Bob Deacy (TVA) and Dennis Tumlin (Department of Tourism), will serve on the committee. The Commission’s next meeting will be held in Henry County on June 24. A location and time will be announced later.

ASIAN CARP BATTLE CONTINUES

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is continuing its efforts in the battle against the invasive Asian carp. The TWRA has several partners in its fight against Asian carp, including officials from Benton County which is the heart of Kentucky Lake on the Tennessee River.

Benton County Mayor Brett Lashlee and Dale Robertson, owner of D&D Fish and Caviar Company in Benton County, were guests at a special meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission held in neighboring Decatur County at the Parson Municipal Building. The two spoke to the commission about the joint effort in the fight against Asian carp and expressed thanks to the TWRA and commission in supporting the endeavor.

D&D Fish and Caviar Company is one of three vendors on Kentucky Lake which was awarded a grant. It was a $123,700 grant which will improve and expand D&D Fish and Caviar’s operational capacity in processing Asian carp for market. This allows D&D to accept larger hauls by local fishermen which hopefully will result in pulling more Asian carp from local waters.

The other two vendors are North American Caviar and Hart’s Fish Market located in adjacent Henry County. The grants total more than $400,000 and an estimated 5,342,170 pounds of carp (approximately 600,000 individual fish) have been removed from Kentucky Lake. The average size of the carp is about 9 pounds.

Also, the TWRA was recently awarded nearly $1.7 million from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct carp control and monitoring in the coming year. This amount is a substantial increase from previous years that will advance the agency’s capacity to control and monitor carp populations. Asian carp work will be conducted in the Tennessee and Cumberland basin as well as Reelfoot Lake. Plans include providing incentives for the commercial removal of Asian carp and monitoring population.

Home

*Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley Outdoor Guide- Fishing, Hunting and everything outdoors......*