Texas Pays $100 per Invasive Fish
Fishers can earn up to $1,000 monthly in 27-agency programme to track black carp in North America
The state of Texas is offering a $100 bounty for the capture of invasive black carp as part of a research effort led by the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ICRCC). The programme aims to learn more about the species' distribution, growth, and habits in North America.
Participating fishers can receive up to 10 reimbursements of $100 per black carp each month, making it a potentially lucrative opportunity for those involved. The bounty is not just about removing fish from waterways, but also about collecting valuable information on the species.
Black carp have been found in eight states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. While Texas is not among the states where captures have been recorded, its participation in the programme is crucial due to the species' presence in neighbouring portions of the Mississippi River basin.
The programme covers the Mississippi River basin and its sub-basins, allowing researchers to gather information across a large interconnected network of waterways. Researchers are collecting information on black carp including age and growth, distribution, abundance, diet, reproduction, habitat use, and movement patterns.
Black carp are bottom-dwelling fish that feed primarily on freshwater mussels and snails, which is a major reason scientists are concerned about their potential spread. The species' presence in North America is relatively unknown, and the research effort aims to fill this knowledge gap.
## Why it matters The bounty programme is important for the ecosystem of the Mississippi River basin and its sub-basins. By gathering information on black carp, researchers can better understand the potential impact of the species on native freshwater mussels and snails. This information can inform conservation efforts and help prevent the decline of these species.
Texas is among 27 state agencies participating in the bounty programme, highlighting the collaborative effort to address the issue of invasive black carp. The programme's success relies on the participation of fishers and the collection of valuable data on the species.
