[cosmo]

The phosphorous in the fertilizers needs to be addressed. That is a root cause to the weed issue, and should be part of the solution. Just want to say that first.

The sterilization process is to treat fertilized grass carp eggs with heat or cold to make them sterile. That makes their chromosomes triple instead of double, which prevents normal cell meiosis. Insert some science class facts but for us they then grow up sterile. The National F&W site reviews testing of the fish and states that triploid fish will never become diploid, meaning they can never reproduce. It refutes a study in Michigan where supposedly the grass carp reproduced over time. (Not sure what to believe there)

So this would then become a conservation management issue. And that makes me uncomfortable too, since we have seen time and again an inability to properly manage programs consistently in NJ. Leaders change, budgets are cut, inconsistent efforts and results.

Patience is what is required in this type of stocking program! Introduce a small number of carp. Observe their impact for 2 years. Then introduce some more. 2 years later, measure results. And repeat until optimum stocking to lake habitat is achieved.

But I don't see that happening. The worry would be impatience to start, resulting in over stocking for maximum immediate results. The carp clear the coves. Boaters are happy.

Then the carp need more to eat. And keep eating. And we lose the weed cover for the bait fish. And the lake dies. Or at least the lake ceases to be the desirable fishing destination it has become.

We have one of the best fisheries in the state. Why risk that?