Asian Carp Glow-up

A PR campaign began this week with the aim of rebranding Asian Carp with a more appetizing name in the hope that people will be more inclined to eat the invasive fish.

The test program will measure whether calling them “Copi” will lure diners into choosing them over entrees with a higher Q-Rating. They’re known primarily as a bottom-feeder, so that new name has its work cut out for it.

The fish were first imported from Asia in the 60s and 70s to eat algae sewage from lagoons and fish farms in the south. Unfortunately, they escaped into the Mississippi River and have been swimming around like they own the place ever since.

It wouldn’t be a huge deal except they push out native fish, mussels, and aquatic plants in Midwestern rivers as well as the Great Lakes.

The federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is behind the five-year project. The hope is that by normalizing the new name and helping make the fish more readily available to restaurants, they can slow this gradual carp coup.

If it means keeping uninvited aquatic guests out of Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers, then Copi it is.

But we’ll stick with walleye for now.