Overrun: Dispatches from the Asian Carp Crisis

Environmental journalist Reeves sets out to “fill in the gaps of Asian carp’s long, strange American tale” in this illuminating study of the invasive species. Seeking to discover “how they arrived here” and “why they’re dangerous,” Reeves talks with scientists, economists, chefs, and policymakers throughout the U.S. Early chapters will intrigue environmentally-conscious readers by describing the Asian carp’s arrival in the 1960s, at the behest of academic researchers and Fish and Wildlife Service officials, and Arkansas fish farmer Jim Malone’s endeavors to capitalize on them as a way “to eat aquatic weeds and clean aquaculture ponds,” despite biologists’ warnings of the ecological threat posed. Later sections, on the fishing and restaurant industry’s attempts to handle the carp surplus, prove equally fascinating. Distributors including Schafer Fisheries in Illinois came to consider carp “a readily available and protein-rich” source of food, feed, fertilizer, and even pet food, and advocates such as Louisiana chef Philippe Parola tried to drum up culinary interest. But Asian carp’s many small bones made the fish a challenge to work with both in the kitchen and at the table. Reeves rounds out his investigation by discussing government efforts to manage the Asian carp population, particularly around the Great Lakes, and the Trump administration’s disregard for environmental protections. In so doing, he delivers a thorough look at an important—and multifaceted—topic. [em](Mar.) [/em]