Mississippi National River and Recreation Area - Diverse Uses (U.S. National Park Service)

Whether caught by a lone angler or drawn up in a many-thousand pound catch by a commercial operation, carp can been utilized in a surprising number of ways.

As Art!
For centuries, Japanese anglers have made ink prints of their catches with "gyotaku," the art of fish rubbing. The prominent scales and wide body of the carp create particularly distinct works, and are favored by the Gyotaku masters.

As Fashion!
With their sturdy flesh and prominent, regular scale pattern, carp can be tanned into an exceptional leather that has graced the occasional skirt and handbag of the international houses of high fashion.

As Food and Fertilizer!
Millions of pounds of carp are eaten by Americansannually - some caught and prepared streamside, some smoked or pickledand sold at local fish markets, and still more processed forspecialized products such as gefilte fish. High in protein and calcium,and low in fat, processed carp is also widely utilized as a proteinfill in both human and pet foods, as well as assorted fertilizers.

The day may in fact be coming when the disdained carp finally fulfills its century-old promise to become the foodstuff of the nation. A 1994 study by the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, for example, found that over 60% of people tested preferred the taste of canned water-packed carp to that of similarly processed white meat tuna.