New Carp Fishing Shirts and Stickers: Eat More Invasive Species
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At Harvesting Nature, conservation starts in the kitchen and sometimes, in your closet. Our new Asian Carp T-shirt and sticker aren’t just bold designs; they’re part of our broader Invasive Species product line, created to raise awareness about harmful non-native animals and inspire creative, ethical ways to address them. With every purchase, you’re not just making a statement. You’re making a difference.
Let’s talk about the carp behind the cause.
What is the Asian Carp?
Asian carp is a collective name for several species of fish, mainly bighead, silver, grass, and black carp, that were introduced into the United States in the 1970s. These fish are voracious filter feeders. A single Asian carp can eat up to 20% of its body weight in plankton per day. This might not sound like a big deal until you realize they’re eating the same microscopic food that supports native fish, shellfish, and waterfowl populations. Over time, their presence severely disrupts aquatic ecosystems, outcompetes native species, and even threatens the commercial and recreational fishing industries.
And if you’ve ever seen videos of silver carp leaping from the water in wild, flailing masses when boats pass, yes, those are the ones. They’ve injured boaters, damaged gear, and turned a quiet day on the water into a slapstick scene from a nature documentary.
A History of Good Intentions Gone Wrong
The story of Asian carp in America is a familiar one: import a species to solve one problem, then watch as it creates a dozen more. In the 1970s, catfish farms and wastewater treatment plants in the southern U.S. needed a natural solution for cleaning ponds. Asian carp were introduced with high hopes and minimal safeguards.
Flooding events helped the carp escape into the Mississippi River system, and from there, they spread like wildfire. Today, they populate major waterways across the central United States and are making their way toward the Great Lakes, where their arrival would be ecologically catastrophic.
Efforts to stop them have ranged from electric barriers and fishing derbies to research into commercial harvest and food export programs. However, one of the simplest and most effective solutions remains this: Eat the problem.
Turning Invasion into Opportunity: The Eat MO Carp Initiative
Dr. Mark Morgan at the University of Missouri saw an opportunity where others saw only a nuisance. His program, Eat MO Carp, is built on the idea that Asian carp can be more than an environmental threat; they can be a sustainable, protein-rich food source, especially in areas dealing with hunger and food insecurity.
Through research, outreach, and partnerships, Eat MO Carp seeks to increase the harvest, processing, and consumption of Asian carp, creating a win-win: reduce an invasive species and feed communities in need. It’s an elegant solution rooted in ecological pragmatism and social impact.
That’s why we’re proud to donate a portion of every Asian Carp T-shirt sold to this initiative. We believe that by combining awareness, action, and bold flavor, we can create meaningful change.
Carp Recipes
How to Make Smoked Carp Dip and Silver Carp Salad
Podcast Episode 192: Catching, Cooking, and Eating Carp
Carp Recipe – Sichuan Crispy Fried Carp by Hank Shaw
Fight the Invasion – One Bite at a Time
Our Asian Carp T-shirt is more than just soft and breathable; it’s a conversation starter. Featuring bold artwork of the infamous fish and the rallying cry “Eat More Invasive Species,” this tee lets people know exactly where you stand. Whether you’re casting from a jon boat, filleting a fresh catch, or grilling up invasive tacos at a backyard cookout, this shirt fits the moment.
Crafted from a premium tri-blend fabric (50% polyester, 25% combed ring-spun cotton, 25% rayon), it offers the perfect balance of durability and comfort. It’s also pre-shrunk, so it’ll stay true to size through your most rugged fish fries.
Stick It to the Problem
You may already have a drawer full of tees, or you may prefer to support the cause more discreetly. Enter the Asian Carp Sticker, a compact symbol of wild food advocacy, ready to slap onto your tackle box, water bottle, cooler, or kayak.
The sticker features the same bold design and message as the shirt, serving as a small yet powerful reminder that conservation doesn’t always mean preservation; it can also mean active participation. By celebrating invasive species as food, you’re helping to flip the narrative and inspire others to do the same.
Our Invasive Species Product Line: Where Advocacy Meets Appetite
The Asian carp collection is part of a growing product line that focuses on raising awareness of invasive species through responsible hunting, fishing, and foraging practices. From lionfish to nutria, snakehead to feral hogs, these invaders can often be harvested, cooked, and enjoyed,all while benefiting the environment.
Each product in this line supports education, advocacy, or on-the-ground efforts, such as Eat MO Carp. It’s our way of blending storytelling with impact, and we invite you to join us in spreading the word (and the flavor).
Why It Matters
Wearing this shirt or adding this sticker to your kit is a small act. But these small acts add up. Every time someone asks you, “What’s that fish on your shirt?” you’ve got an opening to tell the story. Every time you share a catch-and-cook video or write a blog about pan-fried Asian carp with wild greens, you’re pushing back against the myth that invasive species are untouchable.
Conservation isn’t just about preserving nature; it’s about keeping it alive, adaptable, and resilient. And sometimes, the best way to do that is with a fork, a skillet, and a shirt that speaks for itself.
Join the Fight
We hope you’ll consider adding the Asian Carp T-shirt or sticker to your wild food gear this season. Better yet, take someone fishing for invasive species. Host a cookout. Tell the story. Let’s turn a destructive force into a delicious opportunity.
