Review of the Triploid Restriction on Grass Carp

WHEREAS, the reason for restricting use of grass carp to certified triploid fish in natural waters of the State of Louisiana was their inability to reproduce; and

WHEREAS, reproducing populations of diploid grass carp are found in all major river systems of the state associated with the Lower Mississippi River, being present for over two decades; and

WHEREAS, the costs of producing and certifying triploid grass carp are high relative to production of diploid grass carp, which do not require certification; and

WHEREAS, the use of triploids has not prevented the expansion of diploid grass carp in Louisiana waters; and

WHEREAS, this restriction prevents production of these fish in Louisiana.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation respectfully requests that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries review its ban on use of diploid grass carp for weed control.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries remove this ban should its study show that the ban is pointless with respect to restricting the expansion of grass carp populations in the State of Louisiana.

Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in Convention Assembled, August 20, 2016 in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Response from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries: LDWF Grass Carp Response