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Test comes back positive for Asian Carp in southeast Tennessee

A silver carp and bighead carp are shown in this contributed photo from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
A silver carp and bighead carp are shown in this contributed photo from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. A silver carp and bighead carp are shown in this contributed photo from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

By Mark Pace 2 min read

photo Silver and bighead carp

Tests show one of 50 biological samples researchers took below Watts Bar Dam north of Dayton, Tennessee, earlier this year came back positive for bighead carp, a species of Asian carp that can be detrimental to the local ecosystem.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency chief of fisheries Frank Fiss gave the news as the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission, the governing body of the TWRA, met Friday in Chattanooga.

Fiss said there have been no sightings or reports of the fish. However, the test means at least a few of the fish could be in the region. He said the lab that did the testing assured him there is no possibility for a false-positive result.

And he outlined for commissioners the agency’s work to ensure the fish is contained and eradicated.

“I want to get ahead of this in East Tennessee,” he said.