Invasive carp have been present in Mississippi waters for more than 50 years, according to local officials. The fish were initially introduced to control algae and aquatic weeds in agricultural ponds.
However, the carp escaped containment and have since spread throughout the Mississippi River Basin. Their proliferation has become one of the biggest environmental challenges facing the region, officials say.
Mississippi is now implementing one of the fastest-growing harvest programs in the country to combat the invasive species, aiming to reduce their numbers and protect native ecosystems, according to authorities involved in the effort.
