laguna
Well-known member
When I was in the states a few weeks back I took in an alligator tour in the swamps and saw turtles and gators resting on logs and lots of wildlife including a huge stuffed musrat and a gar which the skipper passed round including a live with-its-mouth-strapped baby alligator.
Unfortunately it was a private reserve so I wasn't allowed to fish but it was a great experience.
When we got back onto dry land, I happened to notice a poster of some fish that lives in the swamp, and one I instantly recognised was a garfish/aligator gar, and another was the northern pike... or so I thought. It was actually a similar species (different name entirely), I took a photo so I'll see if I can manage to upload it later and see what you all think.
Anyway, Gar v Asian Carp (trash fish)
officials in the USA would ultimately like to stop the Asian carp, not just contain it. The alligator gar can grow as long as an African elephant is tall, making it a potential match for the carp. They have demonstrated a taste for young carp in particular, and unlike Asian carp, they pose no threat to humans, National Geographic reported, although their eyes and eggs are poisonous?
Several Midwestern states have launched reintroduction programs for the alligator gar, and Illinois lawmakers passed a resolution earlier in July promising to protect the gar species already present in the state
Some biologists urge caution in seeing the alligator gar as the "silver bullet" against the Asian carp. But it could offer biologists one more tool to use in containing the invasive fish, while reintroducing a native species that will excite trophy fishermen.
Love to catch one of these! :w
Unfortunately it was a private reserve so I wasn't allowed to fish but it was a great experience.
When we got back onto dry land, I happened to notice a poster of some fish that lives in the swamp, and one I instantly recognised was a garfish/aligator gar, and another was the northern pike... or so I thought. It was actually a similar species (different name entirely), I took a photo so I'll see if I can manage to upload it later and see what you all think.
Anyway, Gar v Asian Carp (trash fish)
officials in the USA would ultimately like to stop the Asian carp, not just contain it. The alligator gar can grow as long as an African elephant is tall, making it a potential match for the carp. They have demonstrated a taste for young carp in particular, and unlike Asian carp, they pose no threat to humans, National Geographic reported, although their eyes and eggs are poisonous?
Several Midwestern states have launched reintroduction programs for the alligator gar, and Illinois lawmakers passed a resolution earlier in July promising to protect the gar species already present in the state
Some biologists urge caution in seeing the alligator gar as the "silver bullet" against the Asian carp. But it could offer biologists one more tool to use in containing the invasive fish, while reintroducing a native species that will excite trophy fishermen.
Love to catch one of these! :w