Ever since they escaped Arkansas aquatic farms in the 1970’s, Asian carp have created headaches for policymakers and boaters alike. Several species of fish are collectively known in the United States as Asian carp. Common carp resemble bloated goldfish and range from a couple of pounds to 40lbs. These bottom-feeders are what most Americans recognize as “carp”. Common carp were introduced in the early 1800s as a food-fish but are now rarely eaten in the United States. Grass carp, bighead carp, and silver carp were originally introduced to the United States in the 1960s and 1970s to control invasive vegetation and algae in agricultural ponds and municipal wastewater treatment facilities. Thanks to an explosive growth rate and voracious appetites, these fish can disrupt native fisheries, ecosystems, and local economies dependent on fisheries. In this policy brief, we focus on the introduction, dispersal, and management of Asian carp with a special focus on the economic strategies currently being attempted in the United States.
