Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:
"If you can't beat 'em - eat 'em!" - Silver Carp Solutions
Presentation by Mark Morgan, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Missouri School of Natural Resources
This presentation was originally given on March 17, 2015 at Les Bourgeois Vineyards Bistro in Rocheport, MO
Few people have spent much time on the Missouri River in recent years without a close encounter with the infamous flying carp. From sliming your boat to whacking your head, silver carp are an "in your face" kind of fish.
The silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), the species of invasive carp known for leaping in the air when startled, has become a major problem in the Mississippi River watershed. Photo courtesy of Duane Chapman, USGS.
The spread of two invasive species of carp is transforming the ecology of rivers throughout the Mississippi River Watershed, and the Missouri River is no exception. Some estimates claim that silver and bighead carp make up 80% of the total biomass in these rivers.
Associate Professor Mark Morgan is part of a movement to control populations of these invaders by turning them into a marketable commodity. If you can't beat them, eat them! These two species of carp are prized throughout the world but considered a "trash fish" in the U.S. So part of the trick to getting them on the market is finding products that Americans will consume.
His current project is focused on connecting local restaurants with regional carp processing plants and promoting recreational fishing for asian carp.
Meet Your Presenter
Mark Morgan
, PhD, Associate Professor
Mark Morgan, PhD, is an associate professor in the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Natural Resources researching the social aspects of natural resource management through education and outreach. He recently led a project to collect "fish stories" from across the Ozark region, resulting in the publishing of the book "Hook, Line & Sinker - A Collection of Fish Tales from Missouri Anglers".
Related Presentations
Resources & Links
Dig in for more info on this topic:
Articles
- "Invasive Carp May Soon Be On the Menu at MU Dining Halls" - by Natalie Helms, Columbia Missourian, Feb. 11, 2015
- "Eat More Carp" - article on Morgan's project by Randy Mertens, CAFNR News, Dec. 8, 2014
- "Invasive Carp Clobber Catfish in Taste Test" - Scientific American, Tim Wall.
- "Chinese Market could help rid rivers of invasive Asian carp" - Harvest Public Media, April 14, 2014
- "Asian Carp popular at Columbia supermarket" - Columbia Missourian, Oct. 4, 2014
- Columbia Tribune article “Bowfishermen are drawn to the river” by Nic Halverson, June 23, 2012
- Public Radio show on Asian Carp - featuring Duane Chapman (3-30-11)»
Video
- "Silver Carp Solutions" - a series of video shorts by Mark Olsen, Pragmatic Wolf Productions, about cooking, preparing, marketing and catching silver and bighead carp. Includes the semi-viral "Filleting Silver Carp Boneless"
- “Flying Fish, Great Dish” – a you-tube video by Duane Chapman on preparing silver carp. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3
- The infamous "Peoria Carp Hunters". Also check out their YouTube channel.
Research
- USGS Invasive Carp Research Program (with links to videos and articles about asian carp)
- asiancarp.org - an interagency wealth of resources
- Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee
More by Mark Morgan
- Purchase "Hook, Line & Sinker - A Collection of Fish Tales from Missouri Anglers"
- "Big Fish - Paddlefish Snagging is Popular at Lake of the Ozarks"
- "Fish Story - CAFNR Class Gathers Angler Tales" - CAFNR News, Feb. 20, 2013
- Interview with Mark Morgan in Driftwood Outdoors
The Big Muddy Speaker Series in Rocheport
is hosted by these wonderful partners.
- Missouri River Relief
- Friends of Big Muddy
- Columbia Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office (USFWS)
- Les Bourgeois Vineyards
- Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge
Click here for a list of upcoming presentations»
Special thanks to Les Bourgeois Vineyards for giving us the opportunity to use their beautiful space overlooking the Missouri River. All speakers are presenting for free! Thank you all for sharing your knowledge with us!
The Big Muddy Speaker Series also takes place monthly in Kansas City and St. Charles.
The Big Muddy Speaker Series is partially funded by the Columbia Ecological Services Field Office (USFWS) and the Mo. Dept. of Conservation.
Upcoming Presentations
Missouri River Relief: 25 Years on the Big Muddy
November 10, 2026Columbia, MO
Join us for a journey through time celebrating 25 years of Missouri River Relief's work on the Big Muddy.
See Event
Plastic Pollution, Gulf Hypoxia, and Water Quality
November 11, 2026St Charles, MO
Jennifer Wendt from MidAmerica Clean Future guides us through understanding regional water quality challenges.
See Event