One of the things that we heard about on the Illinois River was the quiet war against the Asian Carp, a prolific invasive aquatic species that has taken over many parts of the Illinois and Mississippi River. The term Asian Carp is actually a collective name for four fish species native to Eurasia: bighead, black, grass and silver carp. The silver carp are the most well known, as they can jump up to ten feet out of the water when startled, and have injured boaters. We only saw a few of these fish on our trip this summer, and were never close enough to be at risk of injury, but were impressed by their size and leaping ability. We saw firsthand the efforts to keep them out of the Great Lakes, where it is feared that they could significantly impact native fisheries. Just outside of Chicago, we passed over the underwater electric fence in place as a last line of defense and also witnessed the construction of a second barrier at the Brandon Road Lock.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has a campaign underway to rename these fish “Copi,” derived from the word “copius” to distract from the negative connotation that most Americans have with carp. Through the marketing slogan “if you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em,” it is hoped that folks can be persuaded to consume these allegedly tasty and nutritious fish. We never saw Copi on any restaurant menus while cruising the river.
Bonus Question: What five-letter condiment name has four vowels? (Answer at end of post)
Locals on the Illinois River have taken to some creative ways to raise awareness and reduce the population of this hazardous and invasive species. The town of Bath has hosted an annual Redneck Fishing Tournament since 2005, where competitors use dip nets to catch airborne carp, which can weigh more than 40 pounds. Peoria Carp Hunters offers guided bow-fishing excursions—their modified pontoon boat Carpocalypse takes out archers and observers to skewer fish in and out of the water (no experience necessary). And some folks enjoy playing “carp ball,” where bats are used to whack at airborne fish and “skarping,” where jumping carp are caught in a net while waterskiing. Map link: Bath, Illinois
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| Source: Wild Travels |
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| Source: Peoria Carp Hunters |
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| Source: Illinois Waterway Guide YouTube link: Skarping |
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| Source: Peoria Carp Hunters |
Bonus Question Answer: Aioli, meaning “oil and garlic” in Catalan and Provencal, dates back thousands of years, with ancient Roman and Egyptian references to the simple sauce. Modern versions often include eggs, making it resemble mayonnaise. Fun fact: Some McDonald’s restaurants in Australia offer aioli in its wraps or as a dipping sauce.
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