There’s a pest in the waters, and Illinois will do just about anything to get rid of it.
Asian carp is an invasive fish species that has colonized and infested the Mississippi and Illinois rivers — and it’s the target of a new pilot program Illinois is set to roll out in February.
The state is hoping to incentivize more commercial fishermen to catch and sell Asian carp to reduce the fish’s threat to the Great Lakes.
Morning Shift discusses the new program and explores how Asian carp became such a problem in the first place.
GUEST: Kevin Irons, program manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Aquaculture and Aquatic Nuisance Species Program
LEARN MORE: Midwest battles to keep invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes(PBS NewsHour 1/6/19)