The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is offering a $100 reward to individuals who catch tagged white carp in an effort to reduce their numbers in the wild. Silver carp, one of four common invasive fish species in Tennessee, feeds on zooplankton and can weigh up to 27.2 kg, posing a danger to fishermen and boaters when they leap out of the water. White carp, a native species of China, is disrupting the local ecosystem and authorities are urging anglers not to release them back into the wild if caught.
In New South Wales, Australia, the Namoi Carp Muster event rewards individuals who catch the most carp or the largest carp. In Florida, divers participate in the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival to catch the most lionfish and win prize money. Lionfish are known for consuming native fish and reproducing rapidly. Maintaining healthy ecosystems in waterways is crucial to prevent a cascade effect where the decline of certain species disrupts the natural balance, leading to a decrease in food sources for communities living near water. This underscores the importance of strict control measures for invasive species.
