Invasive Carp: Taking Over The Mississippi
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Andrew Johnson
Presenter(s): Andrew Johnson
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
Asian Carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) have become one of the most pressing ecological threats in the Mississippi River and Great Lakes region. Introduced in the 1970s to control algae in aquaculture facilities, these invasive fish have since proliferated, outcompeting native species for food and habitat. Their rapid expansion has led to significant declines in native fish populations, disrupting commercial and recreational fishing industries. This competition not only threatens biodiversity but also creates economic hardships for fisheries reliant on native species like walleye and perch. Beyond ecological and economic concerns, the Asian Carp invasion has sparked social conflicts among stakeholders, including commercial fishers, conservationists, policymakers, and recreational users of the waterways. Habitat degradation caused by the carp—through increased turbidity and disruption of aquatic food webs—has fueled debates on management strategies, ranging from physical barriers to commercial harvesting initiatives. While some advocate for large-scale population control methods, others worry about unintended consequences on native species and waterway accessibility. This poster will explore the ecological consequences of Asian Carp proliferation, its economic toll on commercial fishing, and the stakeholder conflicts surrounding mitigation efforts. Using case studies from the Mississippi River Basin and Great Lakes region, it will highlight current management approaches and potential solutions. Understanding this human-wildlife conflict is essential for developing sustainable policies that balance ecological integrity with economic viability.