Transcript Carp - Invasive Species 101

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.
Some invasive species
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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 10-15 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.
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
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.
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.
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Our Plan Of Action
Design a prototype.
Pitch idea to food company.
Test and collect data.
Start mass production.
Distribute to infected ecosystems.
Thank you
for listening.