Bredesen Calls For State, Federal Governments To Work On Asian Carp Problem

 
 
By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
 
In an interview on WENK and WTPR this morning, former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen called on the state and federal governments to work together to solve the Asian Carp problem that is plaguing Kentucky Lake and Reelfoot Lake before it gets even worse.
 
Bredesen said there are several solutions to the growing problem that should be explored, including the construction of barriers of various types which are intended to keep the invasive species from traveling from waterway to waterway; placing a bounty on Asian carp caught which would be an incentive for fishermen; and to create grants for commercial fishermen who already are harvesting and selling the carp as a business.
 
“We need to protect Kentucky Lake and Reelfoot Lake all we can”, Bredesen said, noting that the lakes are essential for the local economy. “We need them to keep people coming here. We need the fishing in northwest Tennessee to be continue to be good”.
 
Bredesen was in Paris for the World’s Biggest Fish Fry grand parade and said a lot of people had fish on their minds, but instead of catfish, it was the Asian Carp problem. Bredesen has also submitted op-ed pieces on the Asian Carp problem to area newspapers including The McKenzie Banner and the Paris newspaper.
 
Asian Carp are harmful to local environments and other species, not to mention fishermen and boaters, causing injuries when they fly into the air and into boats. Bredesen noted that the Asian Carp are so voracious that they feed on the algae and take away nourishment from other fish.
 
At the just-ended Bassmaster Elite tournament, the Asian Carp problem on Kentucky Lake was discussed daily by the professional fishermen who competed. They voiced surprise at how many Asian Carp they encountered. Many took videos of them and posted them on social media.
 
Bredesen said, “We need the state and the TWRA to get together with the federal government on this. It’s going to take them working together.”
 
The interview was conducted by Steve James of WENK/WTPR’s Morning Edition.