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USA: Goddamn Asian Carp is Threatening our Native Species! China: Sounds Delicious la

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Rentahamster

Rodent Whores
Eating, as a way to combat invasive species is a concept that is getting more and more traction recently as it is both an economic and sustainable method for pest control.

After all, there is a substantial historical record for humans destroying large numbers of animal species that we find tasty.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-...-meaning-in-u-s-carp-rampage-adam-minter.html
Sometimes, Chinese netizens pay more attention to a U.S. news story than Americans do. President Barack Obama’s Feb. 23 decision to allocate $51.5 million to eradicate an invasive species known as the Asian carp is a prime example.

Outside of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins, news of this carp-control strategy barely registered with the U.S. public. But on March 6, it hit China and, like a jazz trio riffing for an hour on just a few notes, microbloggers took to the minor news topic with gusto, using it to explore issues ranging from corrupt civil servants to U.S. sovereign debt. Soon it even had its own hash tag, roughly translated as #Asian Carp on an American Rampage#.
To understand why Chinese netizens have taken such an interest in the story, it’s absolutely essential to know that the most popular dinner-table fish in seafood-crazy China is carp, bar none. Thus, news of America’s carp problem doesn’t set off alarm -- it makes Chinese mouths water. Add the fact that Chinese covet wild carp -- an expensive treat compared to cheaper, more common farmed carp -- and poetry ensues.
The dominant thread in the ongoing discussion is this: The Chinese people, and their voracious appetites, are the solution to America’s carp woes. This can be expressed comically, as Accidental VIP, the handle for a Beijing media executive, tweeted: “Chinese ‘foodies’ must join battle and rescue the Americans! The Obama Administration will reimburse you for eating steamed fish head with chopped peppers.”
Le Ning, a disk jockey in Hainan Province touched on one of China’s most sensitive and censored subjects -- the gluttonous habits of Chinese bureaucrats -- in his tweet: “Save that $50 million and toss one million civil servants over to America and let them eat fish for two years. Nothing will be left.”

This also brings up environmental issues as to why the carp thrive in the USA but die in China.

Last month, China’s Ministry of Water Resources conceded that 40 percent of the nation’s rivers failed to meet its minimum quality standards. Fish don’t thrive in polluted waters, and those that survive aren’t the ones that you’d want to eat.

A video, widely circulated online, shows an American family riding in a motorboat through a pristine creek that passes carp jumping in and out of the water. A netizen in Henan Province wrote about it: “In China the wild carp are very expensive. But in the United States they jump right into the boat.”

Thank goodness for the EPA. Good environmental stewardship and regulation has seen our water get better and better, in general. It wasn't that long ago (40 years) since the Cuyahoga river in Cleveland actually fucking caught on fire. It's unthinkable to expect this level of widespread pollution in the USA nowadays, and hopefully 40 years from now the same will be true in other poorer countries.

at least one microblogger, also based in Sichuan, jokingly viewed the carp revenue as a potential solution to American fiscal imbalances:

If the United States does not eat the carp they can export it to China to pay for their national debt. This kills two birds with one stone: They no longer suffer from fish, and they pay their debts.​

More info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasive_species

Top 10 invasive species you can eat
http://www.mnn.com/food/recipes/blogs/top-10-invasive-species-you-can-eat
Lionfish. Lionfish Romesco Stew was featured in The Washington Post last summer. It was also called the sustainable “it” seafood that conservationists say more people should begin eating.

Asian carp. The Bowfishing Association of Illinois has a recipe for Smoked Asian Carp that can be prepared two ways — savory or sweet. You’ll have to scroll half way down the page to find the specific recipes.

Brassica rapa (aka turnip mustard or field mustard). The Selfsufficientish blog has information about this invasive plant species and a recipe for Simple Mashed Turnips.

American cannonball jellyfish. Apparently eating jellyfish is common in Asia. (I didn’t know they were edible.) The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has some instructions on how to prepare jellyfish to be added to salad or served alongside vegetables.

Kudzu. I found several suggestions for kudzu on Grandpappy’s Basic Recipes. Both the leaves and the blossoms can be used to create teas, salads and even wine.

Bullfrog. In France, frog legs are considered a treat. I’m not so sure I’d want to give them a try, but garlic makes everything better so maybe this recipe for Garlic Frogs Legs from Food.com might make them seem more palatable.

Feral pigs/wild boar. If you’re a skilled hunter and want to help thin out the invasive pig and boar population, you might as well make a meal out of your kill, right? Texas Gourmet has a recipe for Sugar Cured Feral Hog that is cooked in a BBQ pit.

European green crab. Green crabs can be used in most crab recipes, although they are smaller than many crabs so getting enough meat can be time-consuming. Try Green Crab Enchiladas from Big Oven or Green Crab Soup from Epicurious.

Rusty crayfish. The only time I’ve ever eaten crayfish (also called crawfish) was in New Orleans in an etouffee. I’d try Emeril’s Crawfish Etouffee recipe if you’ve got an overabundance of rusty crayfish you’re looking to cook up and eat.

Rabbit. I’ve eaten rabbit in restaurants. It’s got one of those “tastes like chicken” flavors but a bit gamier. The one time it was served on the bone, I could clearly see the shape of the little rabbit leg, and it kind of ruined the dish for me. So, I suggest if you don’t want to think about eating rabbit while you are eating it, go boneless. Try this Hassenpfeffer (rabbit stew) recipe from allrecipes.com.

Answer for Invasive Species: Put It on a Plate and Eat It
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/science/earth/10fish.html

Invasive Species: Why Not Just Eat Them?
http://news.discovery.com/earth/invasives-hunting-dining-fashion-120124.html

Canadian Goose Burger, Anyone? Eating Invasive Species to Control Their Numbers
http://www.treehugger.com/green-foo...g-invasive-species-control-their-numbers.html

The Perfect Way to Get Rid of Invasive Species—Eat Them
http://www.popularmechanics.com/out...-of-invasive-species-eat-them?click=pm_latest


Update: Carp can't live in this shit:

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/03/world-water-day/100267/

A journalist takes a sample of polluted red water from the Jianhe River in Luoyang, Henan province, China, on December 13, 2011. According to local media, the sources of the pollution were two illegal chemical plants discharging their production wastewater into the rain sewer pipes.
s_h01_RTR2V9PP.jpg



A boy swims along the algae-filled coastline of Qingdao, Shandong province, China, on July 15, 2011.
s_h15_RTR2OXK8.jpg



Trash clogs a polluted canal at the edge of Beijing, China, on March 16, 2012.
s_h18_41412135.jpg



Water contaminated with polyaluminium chloride flows through the Nuomitan power station to dilute the cadmium-polluted water in the Longjiang River, in Liuzhou, southwest China's Guangxi province, on January 30, 2012. China said that it had detained seven company executives after tons of industrial waste, including a toxic metal polluted a river, threatened water supplies for millions of people.
s_h28_38037313.jpg
 

Rentahamster

Rodent Whores
This species seems to be taking over rivers in Indiana.

They're actually jumping into boats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfG4vsJ5_xI

lol, what a feast

Perfectly illustrates one of the comments.
A video, widely circulated online, shows an American family riding in a motorboat through a pristine creek that passes carp jumping in and out of the water. A netizen in Henan Province wrote about it: “In China the wild carp are very expensive. But in the United States they jump right into the boat.”
 

Kinitari

Black Canada Mafia
Last month, China’s Ministry of Water Resources conceded that 40 percent of the nation’s rivers failed to meet its minimum quality standards. Fish don’t thrive in polluted waters, and those that survive aren’t the ones that you’d want to eat.

So what they're saying is, because in China they don't have environmental regulation, they aren't suffering from this out of control fish situation? Libertarians win again.
 

Rentahamster

Rodent Whores
So what they're saying is, because in China they don't have environmental regulation, they aren't suffering from this out of control fish situation? Libertarians win again.

Somehow, I think libertarians might balk at the idea that Communist China embodies the heart and soul of their ideals.
 

Rentahamster

Rodent Whores
Waive our debt and we'll start shipping these fish to you by the ton, China.

Yep, heh heh.

Still, not every microblogger looks upon the Asian carp rampage as a net failure for China and its environmental regulators. Indeed, the vast majority see it as a failure of American stomachs and -- it must be said -- American business sense. “They should open a cannery,” tweeted a netizen in Guangdong Province. “And export to China.”

Following this line of thinking, at least one microblogger, also based in Sichuan, jokingly viewed the carp revenue as a potential solution to American fiscal imbalances:

If the United States does not eat the carp they can export it to China to pay for their national debt. This kills two birds with one stone: They no longer suffer from fish, and they pay their debts.
 

Kuro Madoushi

Unconfirmed Member
Waive our debt and we'll start shipping these fish to you by the ton, China.

Why not just sell them to the Chinese...same with chicken feet.

Sell them the parts and animals Americans don't want to eat. Hell, it's part of the reason why Brazil is prospering - selling food to China.
 

AndyD

aka andydumi
So what they're saying is, because in China they don't have environmental regulation, they aren't suffering from this out of control fish situation? Libertarians win again.

Haha, I love that take on it. Laughing over here...

But as to OP it makes perfect sense, catch, freeze/can, sell to whoever will buy. I cannot believe American business sense/intuity has not done this yet on a grander scale to address this issue.
 
So what are the logistical problems with actually exporting this stuff to China?

I imagine that getting it to them fresh from inland rivers poses a challenge, but the article does suggest canneries. Is there demand for canned carp in China? Would the numbers make sense?
 
Planet Money did a story on asian carp a couple years ago. They were considering changing the name (like they did with Chilean Sea Bass) to get people interested in eating them.
 

Subitai

Member
It is problem only fly over states are facing so the US media doesn't give it much attention.

These fish are like the constrictors in Florida - they are totally driving out native species.
 

Rentahamster

Rodent Whores
It is problem only fly over states are facing so the US media doesn't give it much attention.

These fish are like the constrictors in Florida - they are totally driving out native species.

If any gaffers have any personal experience or stories about this fish (or any other invasive and tasty species), I'd love to hear it.
 

Rentahamster

Rodent Whores
World Water Day brings forth images of just how polluted some of these Chinese rivers are. No wonder the wild carp can't live there.

Last month, China’s Ministry of Water Resources conceded that 40 percent of the nation’s rivers failed to meet its minimum quality standards. Fish don’t thrive in polluted waters, and those that survive aren’t the ones that you’d want to eat.

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/03/world-water-day/100267/

A journalist takes a sample of polluted red water from the Jianhe River in Luoyang, Henan province, China, on December 13, 2011. According to local media, the sources of the pollution were two illegal chemical plants discharging their production wastewater into the rain sewer pipes.
s_h01_RTR2V9PP.jpg



A boy swims along the algae-filled coastline of Qingdao, Shandong province, China, on July 15, 2011.
s_h15_RTR2OXK8.jpg



Trash clogs a polluted canal at the edge of Beijing, China, on March 16, 2012.
s_h18_41412135.jpg



Water contaminated with polyaluminium chloride flows through the Nuomitan power station to dilute the cadmium-polluted water in the Longjiang River, in Liuzhou, southwest China's Guangxi province, on January 30, 2012. China said that it had detained seven company executives after tons of industrial waste, including a toxic metal polluted a river, threatened water supplies for millions of people.
s_h28_38037313.jpg
 
World Water Day brings forth images of just how polluted some of these Chinese rivers are. No wonder the wild carp can't live there.



http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/03/world-water-day/100267/

A journalist takes a sample of polluted red water from the Jianhe River in Luoyang, Henan province, China, on December 13, 2011. According to local media, the sources of the pollution were two illegal chemical plants discharging their production wastewater into the rain sewer pipes.
http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/h20032112/s_h01_RTR2V9PP.jpg


A boy swims along the algae-filled coastline of Qingdao, Shandong province, China, on July 15, 2011.
http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/h20032112/s_h15_RTR2OXK8.jpg


Trash clogs a polluted canal at the edge of Beijing, China, on March 16, 2012.
s_h18_41412135.jpg



Water contaminated with polyaluminium chloride flows through the Nuomitan power station to dilute the cadmium-polluted water in the Longjiang River, in Liuzhou, southwest China's Guangxi province, on January 30, 2012. China said that it had detained seven company executives after tons of industrial waste, including a toxic metal polluted a river, threatened water supplies for millions of people.
http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/h20032112/s_h28_38037313.jpg


Wow. Those pictures are amazing. Trade rules should be changed such that countries can slap big tariffs on goods from countries that do things like that. When people start getting birth defects and diseases from such pollution it is a crime against humanity.
 

Hari Seldon

Member
I wonder what the economics of the situation is. I can't imagine fresh water fishing is as economically viable as sea fishing. Unless you are talking wild salmon prices.
 

chuckddd

Fear of a GAF Planet
There's a fish that can live in those waters? I, for one, would like to welcome our new fish overlords.
 
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