The province’s 31st invasive grass carp was caught by a commercial fisher in Lake Ontario’s Bay of Quinte on July 3, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The 20.996-kilogram, 1.16-metre fish showed no signs of having recently spawned, officials stated in July 17 social media posts.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada response crews and an Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry crew subsequently searched the bay for additional grass carp, but none were found, officials stated.
“Grass carp are invasive and pose a huge threat to the Great Lakes basin due to their ability to reproduce rapidly, outgrow and outcompete other fish for food and habitat,” officials stated.
Grass carp is one of four species of highly invasive Asian carp. Unlike other species of Asian carp like bighead and silver carp, grass carp eat larger plants instead of plankton, and do not compete with native species for food. They do, however, pose a serious risk to aquatic habitats and top the list of invasive species threatening the Great Lakes.
Anyone who sees a grass carp or any other invasive species is encouraged to report it by clicking here.
Download a grass carp fact sheet here.
