Posted on Jul 1, 2022
If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em: Illinois fisheries rebrand the invasive Asian carp
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If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em.
That may as well be the new battle cry for Illinois fishery managers trying to rebrand four invasive species of Asian carp as copi. They hope the new name will help the bountiful fish land on more restaurant menus and grocery lists. That could slow the carp’s march toward the Great Lakes, where they're expected to wreak ecological havoc by crowding out native species.
Illinois and other states in the region have spent hundreds of millions of dollars building dams and electric barriers to keep the invasive carp out of the lakes — now, they’re hoping to enlist Midwest appetites in the fight.
Dirk Fucik owns Dirk's Fish and Gourmet shop in Chicago, where he’s been serving the fish for a decade.
That may as well be the new battle cry for Illinois fishery managers trying to rebrand four invasive species of Asian carp as copi. They hope the new name will help the bountiful fish land on more restaurant menus and grocery lists. That could slow the carp’s march toward the Great Lakes, where they're expected to wreak ecological havoc by crowding out native species.
Illinois and other states in the region have spent hundreds of millions of dollars building dams and electric barriers to keep the invasive carp out of the lakes — now, they’re hoping to enlist Midwest appetites in the fight.
Dirk Fucik owns Dirk's Fish and Gourmet shop in Chicago, where he’s been serving the fish for a decade.
If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em: Illinois fisheries rebrand the invasive Asian carp
Posted from wbur.org
Food/Chow
Fishing
Chicago
Posted 2 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."They are not trash, they are treasure,” Yu says.
Asian grocery stores in some cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago already stock whole Asian carp. Yu hopes the new name and marketing push will help Two Rivers Fisheries find a larger domestic market beyond that.
American consumers often confuse the four species known collectively as Asian carp with another species, the common carp, which was imported from Europe in the 1800s. That fish is a bottom-feeder and can contain some funky flavors depending on where it has been. This is not the case for copi, which was brought to the U.S. in the 1960s or 70s and are not bottom-feeders. But the association looms large for some people.
Illinois will soon find out if a new name and marketing campaign can overcome that. Recipes like Dirk’s copi burgers could help, too — especially when paired with a little tartar sauce."
..."They are not trash, they are treasure,” Yu says.
Asian grocery stores in some cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago already stock whole Asian carp. Yu hopes the new name and marketing push will help Two Rivers Fisheries find a larger domestic market beyond that.
American consumers often confuse the four species known collectively as Asian carp with another species, the common carp, which was imported from Europe in the 1800s. That fish is a bottom-feeder and can contain some funky flavors depending on where it has been. This is not the case for copi, which was brought to the U.S. in the 1960s or 70s and are not bottom-feeders. But the association looms large for some people.
Illinois will soon find out if a new name and marketing campaign can overcome that. Recipes like Dirk’s copi burgers could help, too — especially when paired with a little tartar sauce."
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