The Black Carp, A Test for a New Risk Analysis Process for Invasive Species. R. L. Orr, L. G. Nico, and J. D. Williams, USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Policy and Program Development, Riverdale, MD, National Biological Service, Gainesville, FL
Of the 4,500+ foreign species that have established free-living populations in North America, many have become agricultural, urban, or ecological pests. The multi-agency Risk Assessment and Management Committee, working under the direction of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, developed a risk analysis process for estimating the risk associated with the introduction of exotic species. In its first test case, the new process was used to evaluate the introduction of the Chinese black carp (Pisces: Cyprinidae) into the United States for the biological control of zebra mussels and disease-carrying snails. The risk assessment concluded that the widespread establishment of the black carp would carry the potential for impacting native fresh water mussels. Considering that 71.7% of the fresh water mussels native to the United States are considered endangered, threatened, or of special concern, the risk assessment recommends against the indiscriminate release of black carp capable of reproduction.
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