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Kevin Irons Aquaculture and Aquatic Nuisance Species Program Manager Illinois Department of Natural Resources One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702-1271 Email: [email protected] Phone: 217.557.0719 Gina Behnfeldt Vice President, Economic Development Services Tetra Tech One Oxford Valley, Suite 200 Langhorne, PA 19047 Email: [email protected] Phone: 215.702.4094 ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ASIAN CARP BUSINESS PROCESS ANALYSIS | FINAL REPORT AND ACTION PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................1 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................................................................1 Steering Committee ..............................................................................................................................................1 Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) .....................................................................................2 Research ..............................................................................................................................................................2 Recommendation Development.......................................................................................................................... 10 FINDINGS ................................................................................................................................................................. 11 What’s at Stake .................................................................................................................................................. 11 The Fish .............................................................................................................................................................. 13 Asian Carp Products ........................................................................................................................................... 14 Fishers ................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Processors .......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Transportation .................................................................................................................................................... 18 Marketing ............................................................................................................................................................ 18 Regulatory .......................................................................................................................................................... 18 Chinese and Other International Markets ........................................................................................................... 19 Information Sharing ............................................................................................................................................ 20 Business Development ....................................................................................................................................... 20 Funding ............................................................................................................................................................... 20 Potential Solutions .............................................................................................................................................. 21 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................................... 23 Recommended Solutions .................................................................................................................................... 23 Create an Incentive Program .............................................................................................................................. 23 Provide Ice to Fishers ......................................................................................................................................... 24 Connect Fishers and Processors ........................................................................................................................ 25 Develop Brand and Marketing Strategy .............................................................................................................. 26 Improve Transportation Infrastructure and Standards ........................................................................................ 26 Create Dialogue about Regulatory Concerns ..................................................................................................... 27 Provide Current, Reliable Information on Fish Populations ................................................................................ 27 Engage Subject Matter Experts (SME) in Chinese and Other International Markets .......................................... 28 ACTION PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION ................................................................................................................ 29 Implementation and Timelines ............................................................................................................................ 29 i Table of Contents ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ASIAN CARP BUSINESS PROCESS ANALYSIS | FINAL REPORT AND ACTION PLAN Lead and Support Agencies ............................................................................................................................... 34 Cost Estimates ................................................................................................................................................... 34 Measurement Metrics ......................................................................................................................................... 42 APPENDICES Appendix A .............................................................................................................................. Annotated Bibliography Appendix B ............................................................................................. List of Interviewees and Interviews Summary Appendix C......................................................................................................................................... Interview Proctol Appendix D......................................................................................... Financing and Technical Assistance Resources Appendix E ...............................................................................................List of Asian Carp Processors and Products ii Appendices ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ASIAN CARP BUSINESS PROCESS ANALYSIS | FINAL REPORT AND ACTION PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The pernicious invasion of Asian carp has presented a problem for mid-western states for decades with spread of these fish seemly impossible to stop. With numerous government efforts affecting only the most critical areas, it is apparent that greater resources must be devoted to controlling the proliferation of this invasive species. Novel, broad-thinking approaches are needed to effect marked change. To this end, a broader, multi-state effort has begun to manage and control Asian carp populations by addressing source populations. In this context, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), with support from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hired Tetra Tech, Inc. (Tetra Tech) and tasked them with developing innovative ways to control carp populations and to dramatically reduce their numbers. Turning the problem on its head, Tetra Tech outlines in this Final Report and Action Plan how the challenge of Asian carp abundance can form the solution to their control; how private sector and market forces can be expanded in creating desirable products for domestic and international markets to drive removal of the fish. The goal of this effort is the removal of 20 million to 50 million pounds of Asian carp per year from Illinois waterways, focused on achieving maximum effect on established populations in strategic locations. Consistent with multi-state Asian carp management goals, these figures are derived from current, robust population data and population models including hydroacoustic research conducted by Southern Illinois University. While centered on the State of Illinois, proposed actions in this report are intended to be replicable in other states and throughout the mid-west to provide coordinated, effective control of Asian carp. To further benefit the approach, employing profit motive to control Asian carp populations also requires fewer governmental dollars and resources, and provides positive economic spinoff. Establishing new and expanding existing fish processing enterprises, and the fishers who supply them, stimulates local and regional economies through creating employment; potentially tapping underutilized real estate; providing much needed tax revenue to localities, states, and federal government; and most importantly enhancing workers’ lives through gainful employment. Without sustained, long-term commitment the task of stopping the spread of Asian carp and reducing their populations becomes overwhelming. Methodology