AUTHORS: Mark Morgan, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri
ABSTRACT: The prevalence of malnutrition is high and growing at an alarming rate in developing countries. Countless women and children suffer from anemia, stunting and/or wasting due to a low intake of protein and other essential nutrients. Use of invasive species is a promising, but overlooked strategy to address food security. The Mississippi River Basin has been affected negatively by the spread of silver and bighead carp since their introduction in the early 1970s. Invasive carp are overly abundant in many watersheds, yet few efforts have focused on population reduction since domestic markets are scarce. Consumption is a viable option, but Americans often think of silver and bighead carp as trash fish. As a result, many of them are thrown into landfills or turned into low value products such as fertilizer or animal feed. However, lab tests show that invasive carp are among the most healthy and nutritious freshwater fish in the U.S. In powdered form, they contain a unique profile of nutrients and vitamins that are needed for human health and brain development. Use of silver carp as a food ingredient is one solution to increase the nutritional benefits of child-bearing women and young children, especially for infants in the first 1,000 days of life. The goal of Eat MO Carp is to produce a complementary food using silver carp to address food security and malnutrition at home and abroad, thus helping to restore Midwest rivers.
