Asian Carp Invade Illinois River

Dangerous Asian Carp are invading the Illinois River and heading for the Great Lakes.  Asian Carp are an invasive species that have a strategy of overwhelming their environment and a habit of jumping when spooked by boats.  They can grow to 100 pounds.  Imagine a leisurely sunset cruise on the river when you are hit in the head by a 80 pound fish. The bass fishing tournaments in Peoria are gone, replaced by tourists watching carp jump and fishing above the water with bow and arrow.
Video of Asian Carp Jumping on the Illinois River

Asian carp have no stomachs which causes them to eat non-stop. They grow quickly and leave nothing behind for native species. They reproduce like crazy. Watch out Great Lakes whose fragile environment has already been attacked by zebra mussels and lampreys. As the carp make their way up the tributaries, steps must be taken to keep them out.

So what can be done? A new breed of fisherman are making a good profit fishing the invasive species. Considered good eating by the Asian-American populace, harvesting the fish for food is an excellent method of returning the Illinois River to its native inhabitants.

Ocean Fishing Crisis

Global overfishing and destruction of ocean habitat will lead to extinction of 90% of the world fish population in the next fifty years.  A study conducted by 13 scientists in four countries say that the world must react now to protect what is left of our available seafood.  Demand for seafood is on the rise and supplies are falling.  Farm raised seafood is one alternative, but these methods are not necessarily the solution.  Reefs are devastated, mangrove and seagrass beds are changed by pollution, coastal development and climate change.

Look for the “Fish Forever” label for products that are sustainably harvested seafood.