** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** ASIAN CARP HAVE BECOME A HIGHLY INVASIVE SPECIES SINCE BEING INTRODUCED TO THE U.S. IN THE 1970S, THREATENING LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS, PARTICULARLY IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN AND POTENTIALLY THE GREAT LAKES (BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE RECREATIONAL AND FISHING INDUSTRIES). UNLIKE IN ASIAN COUNTRIES WHERE CARP ARE POPULAR AND NUTRITIOUS TABLE DISHES, THEY ARE SELDOM CONSUMED IN THE U.S., WITH ONLY A SMALL FRACTION PROCESSED INTO FILLETS OR SURIMI PRODUCTS. THIS PROJECT AIMS TO MANAGE THE CARP POPULATION BY HARVESTING THEM FOR VALUABLE PRODUCTS, CENTERING ON EXTRACTING COLLAGEN FROM THEIR SKIN AND CONVERTING IT INTO COLLAGEN PEPTIDES WITH SIGNIFICANT HEALTH BENEFITS, PRESENTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE APPLICATIONS IN FOOD, COSMETIC, BIOMEDICAL, AND PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT PROJECT INCLUDE OPTIMIZING COLLAGEN EXTRACTION AND PEPTIDE PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND EVALUATING THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF COLLAGEN PEPTIDES INCLUDING BONE AND SKIN PROTECTION. BY CREATING PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FROM CARP, THE INITIATIVE SEEKS TO INCENTIVIZE THEIR REMOVAL FROM U.S. WATERS, OFFERING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES TO LOCAL FISHERMEN AND PROCESSORS, REDUCING THE PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE ECOLOGY OF THE U.S. RIVER SYSTEM, AND POTENTIALLY ESTABLISHING A SUSTAINABLE, NATIONWIDE INDUSTRY CENTERED ON CARP PROCESSING IN THE LONG RUN.