ASIAN CARP IN THE US WATERS

Their main problem is that they pose a significant amount of competitions to other native fish species. They compete with them for food and habitat. This kind of competition greatly affects the population of the native fish species thus contributing to the reduction in the market for them. Some of the examples of these fish species include; the bighead, Grass and silver carp. According to the New York Times, these fish species are very dangerous and they can easily end the fishing industry that generates about $7 million dollars to the country2. The main reason being, they will have to outcompete the native fish species for habitat and food4. Therefore, EPA should put in place relevant measures to regulate these species. They are also likely to cause water quality degradation and damage to the vegetation by feeding on the aquatic plants.

Their movement in the water in search of food interferes with the river and lake bottom, distrusts the wetlands and contribute to the increase in darkness in the water thus making it hard for the native fish species to find food. They also contribute to exposure of the native juvenile fish to their predators by destroying the aquatic vegetation. They also act as food for other animals like otters, birds, and fish. Mussel reduction in the lake will automatically result in less food for its predators thus this will contribute to the decline in the population of these animals as well. Generally, mussels are of great importance in the lake' ecosystem. They are responsible for determining the quality of water and provision of food to other animals thus the Asian carp should be controlled to reduce their interference with these significant animals.

The Asian fish species have also the highest jumping ability. Therefore, they should be regulated in a way to reduce some resistance against these fish in the US. There is much resistance in the country toward these fish species because people in the country have a negative perspective towards them. Appropriate measures should be established to encourage their consumption among the US citizens. For instance, if the name used to refer to them can be changed, people can easily change their attitudes towards them8. "Silverfin" is a better name can be used to refer to this kind of fish species. They usually carry toxins that deplete the level of oxygen in the water bodies thus resulting in the suffocation of the fish species in these water bodies.

This contributes to their deaths thus resulting in the reduction of their population. The aquaculturists believed that these species was of great significance in controlling the algae bloom issue as they could feed on them. The main species that were introduced included; black carp, bighead carp, grass carp and silver carp. They were effective until 1980 when they were able to escape into the local water bodies due to flooding. The Asian carp mainly depends on the plankton and algae for food. They could also feed on the mussels and other water plants. The Asian carp species are mainly referred to as filter fitters and they mostly depend on algae to sustain their large population. They may also not be able to survive in colder and deeper lakes.

The only advantage is that Asian carp species are able to adapt to any given environment including local food system10. They also feed on water mussels thus interfering with water quality that in turn affects the population of the freshwater fish species. The main economic benefits derived from this species is that people can consume their meat. They can also be sold on the market just like other fish species to generate income. They form a strong international market for the US. Social costs associated with the issue are minimal and they cannot be easily identified. , and Walter R. Hill. "Can filter‐feeding Asian carp invade the Laurentian Great Lakes? A bioenergetic modelling exercise. " Freshwater Biology 55, no. Ye, Lin, Jon Amberg, Duane Chapman, Mark Gaikowski, and Wen-Tso Liu.