21 September, 2006 -
SILVER carp ? notorious for their dangerous jumping and ecological damage to rivers and lakes in the USA ? are at the centre of talks to carry out new research. In a bid to ?make good food of bad fish?, Rob Hayward, fisheries researcher at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Duane Chapman, a fisheries biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey and a team of researchers, are looking to convert the fish into food for zoo animals.

The carp, which were introduced 30 years ago by private fish farmers, have allegedly posed repeated threats to fishermen and native fish. Indeed Chapman reports: ?They can break your nose or knock you out of the boat?, leading to the fishermen having to wear protective gear.
For fishermen, the carp provide little profit in terms of harvesting. However, if converted into food, they could become commercially viable, and at the same time save the zoo money. At present the zoo purchases approximately 60 tonnes of fish, such as mackerel and herring. If the carp became an option, this would save them money, as up to 25 per cent of the original food could be replaced.
Penguins, sea lions and pelicans will be the first contestants to taste the new food, if the study goes ahead next spring.
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Watch it SF! Postin carp crap could land you in hot water mister.