Martin, Tenn.–Director of UT Martin Public Safety Monte Belew has been appointed to serve on the Asian Carp Advisory Commission. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed an Executive Order in September establishing the Commission to study and provide advice regarding the best methods for mitigating the invasion of Asian carp into the state’s lakes and river systems.
Belew is the former Henry County Sheriff. He is an avid outdoorsman and a resident of Henry County which has the Tennessee River and Kentucky Lake on its eastern border and one of the targets of the invasive species.
Along with Belew, the Commission includes representatives from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission, Department of Economic and Community Development, Department of Tourist Development, Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Valley Authority, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, there is one appointee each from the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Commission, chaired by Tennessee Senator Mike Bell, had its first meeting in December at TWRA’s Region II building in Nashville. Frank Fiss, TWRA Chief of Fisheries, provided an overview of the status of Asian carp and ongoing control efforts. The commission also discussed a need to measure the economic value of resources that are threatened by Asian carp. The commission will provide an interim report of their activities in February 2021.
“Tennessee’s lakes and rivers are a critical feature of our state’s economy and natural beauty,” Gov. Lee said upon signing Executive Order 62 to establish the Commission. “This Commission will help us protect and preserve native fish species, aquatic life, commercial and recreational fishing, and other water activities from the increasing threat of Asian carp to key ecosystems in our state.”
The TWRA’s battle against Asian carp has been ongoing. The TWRA was recently awarded nearly $1.7 million from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct carp control and monitoring in the coming year. This amount is a substantial increase from previous years that will advance the agency’s capacity to control and monitor carp populations. Asian carp work will be conducted in the Tennessee and Cumberland basin as well as Reelfoot Lake. Plans include providing incentives for the commercial removal of Asian carp and monitoring population.
Photo: Monte Belew (right) UT Martin Director of the Department of Public Safety is pictured with Bobby Wilson, Executive Director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at the inaugural meeting of Asian Carp Advisory Commission. TWRA photo.