WHEREAS, grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) are voracious vegetarians, consuming up to 300% of their own body weight a day, and
WHEREAS, a preferred food of the grass carp is hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), and
WHEREAS, hydrilla is one of the most problematic invasive, aquatic weeds in Louisiana waters, and
WHEREAS, standard methods of aquatic vegetation control – mechanical removal, draw-downs, and chemicals – are expensive and provide only a short term remedy, and
WHEREAS, triploid grass carp are sterile, and
WHEREAS, grass carp require moving water in order to spawn successfully, and are therefore incapable of reproducing in static bodies of water, and
WHEREAS, fertile, diploid grass carp are already present in the major rivers of the state, thus diminishing the concern that utilizing triploid grass carp for aquatic vegetation control will promote the uncontrolled spread of grass carp in state waters.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) supports the experimental use of triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) in an integrated program of aquatic vegetation control in state waters.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges the Louisiana Legislature to modify and clarify RS 56:319 to authorize and direct the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and/or the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to utilize triploid grass carp in nuisance aquatic vegetation control efforts, including providing for the possession of diploid grass carp at LDWF fish hatcheries to produce stock for use in the LDWF’s aquatic vegetation control program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges the LDWF to consider and include the use of triploid grass carp in the Comprehensive Statewide Invasive Aquatic Plant Control Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LWF urges the LDWF to allocate hatchery resources to producing the triploid grass carp required for hydrilla control.
Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in Convention Assembled, March 16, 2008 in New Iberia, Louisiana.