FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2008
Source: Pat Charlebois (847)872-0140; charlebo@uiuc.edu Duane Chapman (573)876-1866; dchapman@usgs.gov Asian Carp Filets Featured at Bass Pro Shop
URBANA – One way to do your part to help stop the
spread of Asian carp into new lakes and streams is to catch and eat them. On
Saturday, May 10, from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Bass Pro Shop in Bolingbrook,
you can learn how to filet bighead and silver carp as well as sample free
cooked filets. “Bighead and silver carp have excellent quality flesh,
similar to cod, but they have bones in their filets, which create problems when
eating the fish,” said Duane Chapman, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
fish biologist. Chapman will be one of several biologists demonstrating how to
debone the carp filets. “We will demonstrate how to leave only a few
large bones in each piece of fish so that they can be easily eaten,” said
Chapman. Bass Pro Shop will provide free samples of cooked filets. Bighead and silver carp are non-native fishes that have
invaded the Mississippi River and its tributaries, including the Illinois
River. An electric barrier stands between them and the Great Lakes.
“Asian carp have the potential to have dramatic impact on the Great Lakes
fish populations because they are filter feeders. They eat plankton, which are
the base of the food chain, and they can grow very large,” said Pat
Charlebois, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) aquatic invasives specialist. Chapman is researching food market possibilities as a way to
reduce Asian carp populations in these rivers where the fish are taking their
toll on the food chain. “Worldwide, silver carp is the most consumed
freshwater fish--it is considered the hamburger of Asia,” said Chapman.
“The meat is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.” On Saturday, in addition to demonstrating how to filet an
Asian carp, experts from USGS, IISG, the Illinois Natural History Survey and
the Army Corp of Engineers will be on hand to provide information about the
impact these species are having on Midwest rivers, the latest on the electric
barrier, how to prevent injury from jumping silver carp, and how to help
prevent the spread of Asian carp. “Despite the fact that Asian carp may be a good fish
to add to your diet, it is critical that they not be introduced to new
waters,” said Charlebois. Early detection of Asian carp can help
control their spread. “You can help with the monitoring of these fish by
learning how to recognize them and reporting any sightings,” added
Charlebois. Bass Pro Shop is located at 709 Janes Avenue in Bolingbrook,
Illinois. For more information or directions, visit www.basspro.com. To view or download an
Asian carp watch card, visit the IISG web site at www.iisgcp.org/products/free.htm. --30-- The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program is one of 30
National Sea Grant College Programs. Created by Congress in 1966, Sea Grant
combines university, government, business and industry expertise to address coastal
and Great Lakes needs. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce,
the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the University of Illinois and
Purdue University. Irene Miles |