Invasive Asian Carps in North America

Comprehensive Plan for Increasing Effectiveness of Bighead and Silver Carp Outreach

Patrice M. Charlebois and Kristin M. TePas

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874233.ch13

Abstract.—In the United States, a variety of outreach has been done on bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp H. molitrix by a number of organizations and institutions. Because many of these outreach efforts were localized, nonlocalized entities often are unaware of them. Many of the entities conducting outreach, too, do not have a systematic bighead and silver carp (BSC) outreach plan and thus their efforts may not be as efficient or effective as possible. To address these issues, we surveyed organizations in areas where BSC have been found and compiled the reported BSC outreach activities. We then created a comprehensive outreach plan as a template for those conducting BSC outreach and compared it to existing efforts. In this comparison, we found that (1) targeted audiences could be more narrowly focused, (2) easily accessible tools could be more fully utilized, and (3) systematic evaluations need to be conducted to ensure that outreach efforts are being effective. We hope that this compilation and the comprehensive outreach plan will help improve the collective future BSC outreach, making it more efficient and effective.