Texas offers $100 for invasive black carp

Texas has initiated a program offering anglers $100 for each invasive black carp they catch and submit. This initiative is part of a multi-state research effort led by the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ICRCC) to study the black carp's distribution, growth, reproduction, movements, and feeding habits in the Mississippi River basin.

Black carp, which feed primarily on freshwater mussels and snails, pose a threat to native aquatic species due to their diet and the fact that very little is known about them in North America. While black carp are classified as an exotic aquatic species that could be harmful or potentially harmful in Texas, the state is not currently listed among the eight states where captures have been recorded.

Nonetheless, monitoring and early detection are crucial, as Texas' waterways are connected to a larger network where black carp have already been documented. Anglers are encouraged to follow the "Keep, Cool, Call" procedure if they suspect they have caught a black carp: keep the fish, keep it cold, and report the catch to their state fisheries agency immediately, providing details about the catch location, fishing conditions, and any photographs.