‘Israeli’ carp threaten fish in Turkey

Prussian carp or carassius gibelio pose a serious threat to lake ecosystems in Turkey according to scientists.

These carp, which have nothing to do with Israel, were dubbed this way by locals in the country where Israel's "invasion" of Gaza and suppression of Palestinians are largely despised and as the carps are known as an invasive species.

Professor Nazmi Polat, head of the biology department at Ondokuz Mayıs University, says the carp threaten bass, rudd, pike, mullet and other freshwater fish as well as underwater flora of the lakes. The number of these carp have risen dramatically in recent years. "This is a species that does not belong to the lake fauna in Turkey, and we do not know how it made it to freshwater bodies. What we know for sure is that it will wipe out entire species in our lakes if we fail to take measures. Other fish species reproduce once a year, while this carp can reproduce up to six times per year. It feeds on the eggs of other fish and can adapt to any environment easily," he said.

"Some fish species are on the brink of extinction due to the threat of Israeli carp. It was released in lakes in an uncontrolled way over the past two decades, and since then, it remains as a grave threat for ecological development and diversity of freshwater species," he said. The Prussian carp is omnivorous and feeds on plankton, invertebrates and plants. Some scientists claimed it arrived from lakes in Balkan countries, while others claim the carp was released as part of a campaign in the 1970s to multiply fish species in the country.

Yaşar Ergün, head of a local fishermen's association, said that Israeli carp have low economic value and threaten their business as they consumes other species with higher economic value. "Without measures, it will deal a blow to our livelihood," he said.