Wildlife Forever Launches Citizen Carp Control™ Program to Combat Invasive Species

The Citizen Carp Control is a national public awareness campaign working to educate, empower, and advocate for enhanced control and removal of invasive carps.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Zach Burnside 

Info@WildlifeForever.org


White Bear Lake, MN – Wildlife Forever’s new Citizen Carp Control initiative is the latest effort to raise awareness of invasive carp species. The conservation initiative provides a platform to engage commercial fishermen, policy leaders and sportsmen and women about solutions to address invasive carp issues. Its goal is to share information and urge policy makers to adequately fund prevention and removal of invasive carp.

 

“We must act now. Rapid removal and other deterrent measures work,” said Wildlife Forever President and CEO Pat Conzemius. “If we’ve learned anything in dealing with invasive species, it’s not to allow new species to spread.”

 

With support from AFTCO and other fishing industry leaders, the campaign website, www.CitizenCarpControl.org provides educational resources, up-to-date content and information on how the public can get involved.

 

“Invasive species are the greatest threat to our fisheries. It’s our duty to support efforts that educate and work to defend our waters,” said AFTCO Marketing Director Matt Florentino. “We’re proud to support Citizen Carp Control.” 

 

Invasive carp species include the Bighead, Black, Grass and Silver. In the 1800s, Common carp were introduced as a food source and game species into U.S. waters. As an established species today, Common carp occur naturally throughout the U.S. However, it can become highly invasive and destructive when mismanaged.

 

Formerly called the War on Carp campaign, the newly rebranded Citizen Carp Control initiative will feature apparel and other merchandise for people to purchase and show their support. 

 

About Wildlife Forever: Our mission is to conserve America's outdoor heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife. Wildlife Forever is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to education and implementing resources on the ground. Recent audits reveal that 95% of every dollar supports our award-winning conservation programs. Please, Join Today and learn more about the Art of Conservation® program, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™ and Prairie City USA® at  www.WildlifeForever.org.
 

Educational Resources

Invasive carp are a group of fish species including Bighead, Black, Grass, and Silver Carps that have been introduced to North America from Asia and Europe and pose a serious threat to native aquatic ecosystems. These fish are fast-growing, prolific feeders that out-compete native fish for food and habitat. They also have negative impacts on water quality, recreational opportunities, and commercial fishing.

Invasive carp are spreading throughout the Mississippi River basin and other large rivers and are threatening to invade the Great Lakes. To prevent and control the spread of invasive carp, it is important to learn more about their biology, ecology, behavior, and impacts. The following educational resources from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provide useful information on invasive carp for students, teachers, researchers, policy makers, and the general public.

United States Geological Survey (USGS)

Science and innovation for battling invasive carp (usgs.gov)

Are invasive carp dangerous? | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

What are Invasive Carp? | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

What is an invasive species and why are they a problem? | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Invasive carp in Southeastern waters | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)

Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)

Asian Carp in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Systems | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)

2022 invasive carp forum slides | FWS.gov

High Tech Battle Waged Against Invasive Carp | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)