(NASHVILLE) — State Representative Jay Reedy (R-Erin) recently announced that he is partnering with officials from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to address the infiltration of Asian carp into Tennessee’s waterways.
According to the TWRA, this disruptive and invasive species of fish have already inundated both Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, migrating from regional waters like the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers. Over the first six months of 2018, commercial fishermen have caught an estimated one million pounds of Asian carp in both of these Kentucky waterways.
The carp are also turning up in the Cumberland River and other Tennessee bodies of water — including Old Hickory Lake. They can cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem by eliminating the food supply of native species and also endanger the safety of recreational water sport enthusiasts.
A member of the Tennessee Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus and an avid outdoorsman, Representative Reedy continues to work with wildlife officials to examine all potential solutions to combat this issue, including the implementation of electronic monitoring services, improved barriers at area lock and dam systems, as well as more federal dollars that can be used to incentivize commercial anglers to fish for the carp.
“This type of fish is a very dangerous and real threat to our local environment, our fishing industry, and our citizens,” said Representative Reedy. “We must do all we can to better protect our local waterways and limit any potential damage Asian carp may cause. I applaud our Wildlife Resources Agency for their work identifying our vulnerabilities. Together, I know we will address this important environmental issue so that our area lakes, rivers, and streams will be preserved for our future generations.”
For more information, please contact TWRA Invasive Species Coordinator David Roddy at: (615) 781-6570.
Jay Reedy serves as a member of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and Subcommittee, as well as the House Education Instruction & Programs Committee. He lives in Erin and represents House District 74, which includes all of Houston, Humphreys, and part of Montgomery Counties. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by calling (615) 741-7098.