Saturday, April 12, 2008

Give a Carp


They've gone fishing again, while I'm stuck at home doing homework! So, as usual, I find a reason to let my mind wander...

In Australia, European Carp is considered a pest, the "rabbit of the river". If you go fishing and happen to catch one, two or 100 carp, law depicts that you must kill. Unfortunately, Carp, you are too crap to eat. Many have tried you and complained about your muddy taste and bony flesh. But I hear you make good garden fertilizer.

Poor carp. The very people that brought you to Australia didn't want you. It's how you got into the waterways to begin with. In fact, the very people who love you are the people who will most likely kill you. Fishermen.

So, I would like to give a moment to this poor, little (sometimes not so little - they can grow up to 1.2 metres) fish. Because when it was born, it didn't choose to be a carp, it just was.

Well, Carp, if you ever learn to use the internet, know that someone actually did give a crap about you.

If only for a moment.

Some facts on Carp.
Australian Society for Limnology: Policy on Carp
NSW Department of Primary Industries: Carp
Save the Murray: Carp facts

No comments: