UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (WCIA) -- One chef claims, for the first time in American history, an invasive species is being mass-produced and distributed to the marketplace. It means it could end up on your plate.

If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em. That's the slogan Chef Philippe Parola is going with. Monday, the UI held a luncheon to educate people about Asian carp.

It was brought to Illinois between the 60's - 70's. It was used for research and aquaculture, but at one point there was a flood. The carp escaped their ponds and have been migrating in the Mississippi River Basin ever since.

Now, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is trying to make it more marketable for people to start eating.

Biologists say there are 4,000 Asian carp per river mile in select areas of the Illinois River. There are also four different kinds of Asian carp, but they say the difference with this fish is it only eats plankton. Chef Parola says that's a good source of protein and collagen.

The chef also says it absorbs what you cook it in, enhancing its flavors like paprika or garlic. By itself, it tastes a lot like cod.