Protecting Aquatic Biodiversity
Invasive Carp (formerly known as Asian Carp) are a group of invasive fish species that pose a significant threat to aquatic biodiversity in the Great Lakes.
Invasive Carp is a term used to refer collectively to four species of invasive fish: Grass Carp, Bighead Carp, Black Carp, and Silver Carp.
Another species of carp, known as Common Carp, arrived in North America much earlier than the others, and thus is not referred to by the term Invasive Carp.
Common Carp attempting to enter a wetland at Tommy Thompson Park.
Learning to Identify Invasive Carp Species
Black Carp are the largest of the four species. They can grow up to a meter long and can weigh up to 90kg (200 lbs).
Silver Carp, while not as large on average as Black Carp, are notable for a different characteristic: the ability to jump as high as three metres out of the water when startled.
Protecting Our Waters from Invasive Carp
Invasive Carp species originate from river systems in Russia and China, where the climate conditions are similar to those of North America.
These fish are considered invasive in North America becasuse they compete with native species.
Invasive Carp did not arrive in North America on their own. In the 1960s and 1970s, the aquaculture industry in the southern U.S. states imported these fish to manage aquatic plants in their facilities.
During flooding events, at least three of these species escaped from facilities and spread through North America’s waterways.
While not yet established in the Great Lakes, Invasive Carp are effectively on the doorstep. Individual fish have been found in these waters – including in Lake Ontario. Prompt action, however, has so far prevented these species from becoming established.
TRCA and Invasive Carp Monitoring
In 2015, during a routine coastal fisheries survey, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) discovered five Grass Carp in Toronto Harbour.
Although these fish were capable of reproducing, there was no further evidence of Grass Carp or any other Invasive Carp species becoming established in the GTA.
Following this discovery, TRCA launched a proactive surveillance program to routinely monitor areas where Invasive Carp would most likely be found should they enter Lake Ontario.
FURTHER READING:
- You can learn more about TRCA’s Invasive Carp surveillance program HERE.
- These blog posts by interns Jason Raposo and Daniel Huszar provide first-hand accounts of how TRCA conducts Invasive Carp surveillance on the Lake Ontario waterfront.
- You can view TRCA’s Invasive Species Management Strategy HERE.
- Read more about TRCA’s work on invasive species HERE.
What Can You Do About Invasive Carp
For more information on how to identify Invasive Carp, and what to do if you see one in the Great Lakes, check out the following resources:
- Invasive Carp Factsheet
- Invasive Carp Surveillance Flyer
- Invasive Carp e-Learning Resource (Ages 10+)
If you have seen an Invasive Carp or any other invasive species, please contact Ontario’s Invading Species Hotline (toll-free) at 1-800-563-7711, or report it online at EDD MapS Ontario.