Asian carp are one of the largest threats facing Tennessee’s waters, fisheries, recreation, and local economies.
Tennessee Wildlife Federation has been working hard to fight the invasive species for years and a $25 million appropriation to fight Asian Carp was passed in Congress and signed by the president as part of the federal budget for fiscal year 2020.
According to a press release, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation played a leadership role in securing this appropriation.
The Federation brought together influential people and organizations from across the region and worked hand-in-hand with lawmakers to increase the old appropriation and make it available to Southeast states, including Tennessee.
The funding will be allocated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Funds will go into barriers that limit the fish’s movement, contract fishing and commercial fishing incentives, and research more ways to control Asian carp.
“Asian carp are wreaking havoc on our aquatic ecosystems—including threatened or endangered species—while also making rivers and lakes unusable for recreation, which is destroying local economies,” said Michael Butler, CEO of Tennessee Wildlife Federation. “The Federation’s conservation policy work is at the heart of what we do because it creates far-reaching results like securing this funding.”
Over the years, the Federation secured funding hat allowed for the acquisition of important ice making machines and other equipment allowing commercial fishermen to be more effective at removing Asian Carp.