The Peoria area needs a facility to process carp from the Illinois River. That's the message from government and fishing industry officials during a meeting to talk about the invasive fish. The nearest processing facility is in Thomson, Illinois. Area fisherman Orion Briney says having a local facility would boost his bottom line:
“I can take them to the market, unload, go back out catch another load. Two loads a day versus one. I wouldn't have to have a six hour drive every day,” Briney says.
Officials say a local facility would also reduce the invasive carp species along 140 miles of the Illinois River. $10 million lbs. of carp are estimated between the LaGrange and Starved Rock dam systems. The carp summit was hosted by the region’s new economic development effort, Focus Forward. FFC- officials plan to host another meeting to follow-up on the issue.