The Environmental Journal of Southern Appalachia
Thursday, 22 August 2024 12:35

To beat them, eat them: Enjoy a carp po’boy during an invasive-species panel

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carpInvasive carp jumping from the water at Barkley Dam in Kentucky. One option for eliminating carp is to eat them, and you can do just that on Saturday in Knoxville.  Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Learn about invasive species such as carp and zebra mussels at Conservation Fisheries panel

KNOXVILLE —To hear Bo Baxter tell it, carp actually doesn’t taste half bad.

He fairly gorged on the bottom feeders once long ago, during a long Mississippi River trip with the famed aquatic biologist David Etnier.

He prefers silver carp to, say, bighead carp, but the meat is fairly light and flaky on both and “I consider it excellent,” Baxter said. (Baxter serves on the editorial board of Hellbender Press).

Regardless their culinary appeal, the fish don’t belong anywhere near here, and will be among several different invasive species set to be the subject of a forum beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 at Remedy Coffee, 800 Tyson St., Knoxville.

And while you learn, you can enjoy a $5 carp po’boy and hushpuppies plate courtesy of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), which is working to both limit the spread and establish a robust commercial market for the fish. Payson will provide the bread and remoulade.

carp dinner 

All carp species were introduced into North America, mainly for grass maintenance in ornamental and pond settings. Needless to say, the fish long ago jumped to natural waters.

They are heavy eaters, and their filter feeding actually sucks up nutrients and zooplankton valuable to native fish. Silver carp can grow to 60 pounds, so their sheer size also makes them a public safety hazard, said Baxter, the executive director of Conservation Fisheries who will be among the panelists discussing both aquatic and terrestrial invasive and exotic species.

Four species of carp are in Tennessee waters; most are confined to the western portion of the state.

Also up for discussion will be invasive invertebrates such as the zebra mussel, which is both a threat to infrastructure and native mussels; and the mosquito fish, a voracious eater of native fry.

Panelists are expected to include Clint Jones, Tennessee Valley Authority; Cole Harty, TWRA; Brittany Bajo-Walker, mussel expert; and John Tullock, a fisheries biologist who will discuss invasive and exotic plants.

The food will offer fellowship, but the subject of invasive species is serious business.

“Addressing them is critical to the survival of native fish and mussel species,” Baxter said.

“Eating them sounds like a great idea.”

Carp WANTED ad by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

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Last modified on Thursday, 29 August 2024 00:10