The status of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella, Valenciennes 1844) in Turkey

The grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella, Val. 1844) among other Chinese carps has been receiving worldwide attention as a biological control agent for aquatic vegetation and as a source of food. The benefits of using grass carp for plant control include its long term effects, constant feeding activity on invasive macrophytes, low long term costs and the potential for conversion of weed biomass to fish protein. The grass carp was first introduced outside its native area for aquaculture and aquatic management purposes after 1945 and in Turkey after 1972. In this paper, it is my aim to provide some information on different studies relating to grass carp introduction in Turkey and explain in their introduction the factors that inhibit and encourage its development and give some suggestions supported by related literature.