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Freshwaterways board urges more study of grass carp; members discuss DNA testing, hunting or ordinance changes
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Summary
Board members flagged a longstanding grass-carp problem that they say has harmed native fish habitat and discussed seeking Fish and Game help, DNA testing of carp, and potential ordinance changes to permit targeted removal methods such as tethered bow hunting or organized events.
Members of the Freshwaterways Advisory Board spent a large portion of the June 13 meeting discussing nonnative carp and potential removal strategies, including DNA testing, state assistance and a possible local ordinance change to allow targeted removal events.
James Pate, who reported discussions with Fish and Game, said the agency’s local contact, Steve Caramount, told the board that the carp introduction is likely causing habitat loss for perch and bass. "They started doing reports, and they could see that the bass and the perch and all the other fish they're destroying the habitat of all the other fish that live in the lake and the waterways," Pate said.
Pate said Fish and Game previously offered DNA testing on captured carp to determine whether they are reproducing and might assist with removal depending on results. "If we were to catch a carp and send it to them, that they would do DNA, testing to determine that. And then if I remember correctly, depending on what that result was, they're at that time, they were willing to help us take care of our carp problem," he said.
Multiple board members proposed removal options. One idea was to change a local ordinance to allow bow hunting or a special-event removal focused on carp only. Board members discussed safety and retrieval issues tied to tethered arrow systems used in some carp-removal approaches and the possibility of permits or tags for participants. Board member Janet Grilling noted licensing questions: "We'd have to have a license. You'd have to have a fishing license regardless," she said while discussing tags and registration options.
City council liaison Richard Wilson told the board that an ordinance change can be advanced by a council member and that the board may prepare a draft to transmit to council. "Just send it to me, and then I will send it out up to the council. I'll present it to council," Wilson said, describing the process for moving a proposed ordinance change to the council.
The board did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting. Members agreed to seek further technical advice from Fish and Game, to explore DNA-testing logistics, and to draft an ordinance framework for council consideration. Several members said removal will be contentious because some local residents favor keeping the carp.
The board directed members to gather more information on Fish and Game assistance, legal options for removal events, and possible registration or tag systems to track participants. Any change to local law would require formal drafting, council review and likely public hearing(s).
