Thread: Unified Method - Pisgah Bay and Smith Bay - updates

Please share any updates or info you might have on the unified method that is happening now on Kentucky Lake.

Public access to Smith and Pisgah bays are restricted during carp removal effort starting FEB 3rd. At this time the project is scheduled to last for 3 weeks.

Recreational boaters should avoid the embayments to minimize risk of damage and disruption to the research operation. Access by road to the ramps and campgrounds in these bays will also be restricted. As a result it may not be possible for the public to directly observe the removal, but the Kentucky Afield tv show crew and local tv crews will be there.

The method involves setting a series of nets and using boats equipped with underwater speakers and electrofishing gear to drive the carp to sequentially smaller compartments, where they can be removed from the water.

The Asian carp harvested using the Modified Unified Method will be taken by Silver Fin, a non-profit research entity which has contracted with the state to test experimental gear. Silver Fin has purchased equipment to facilitate harvesting what is anticipated to be hundreds of thousands of Asian carp, more than the method has harvested in a single water body to date. Silver Fin has purchased expensive equipment to test during this event, and although they can sell the Asian carp to any vendor of their choice, there is not a market lucrative enough for Asian carp that will provide the company compensation to cover their costs for this initial effort. Additionally, Asian carp harvested will be sold to companies that are not current buyers in Kentucky, so Kentucky's commercial fishermen will not be negatively affected from a sudden increase in Asian Carp availability. The price that will be paid by buyers for the carp harvested by the Modified Unified Method will be a fraction of the regular price. Silver Fin Solutions of Troy, MO is a non-profit organization building a foundation for integrating partners, training fishermen and creating infrastructure; all to serve a new global fishing industry.