A coalition of industry and environment groups have come together to call on State and Federal governments to take action against Australia’s worst freshwater aquatic pest, the European carp.
A coalition of industry and environment groups has come together to call on state and federal governments to take action against Australia’s worst freshwater aquatic pest, the European carp.
Carp currently make up more than 80 per cent of fish biomass in the Murray-Darling Basin.
More than half the native fish species in the Murray-Darling Basin are now listed as vulnerable or threatened with extinction. Invasive pests, including carp, are a major cause in this decline.
Australians' deep concern about the threat carp pose to our environment has been the catalyst for this unique alliance comprising the Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, Invasive Species Council, National Farmers’ Federation and the National Irrigator’s Council.
Jonathan La Nauze, acting campaigns director for the Australian Conservation Foundation said “we are united in calling for clearer, healthier waterways and fish communities. Australia now has a once in a generation opportunity to achieve this through broad-scale biological control using a naturally occurring virus that is specific to Common carp”.
Managing Director of the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, Mr Allan Hansard said “CSIRO research has shown that there is a tremendous opportunity to transform our rivers and recreational fisheries through the biological control of Carp. Their testing has confirmed that the Carp Virus is specific to Carp, and will kill 70-100% of Carp in a short timeframe under optimal conditions”.
CEO of the National Irrigators Council, Mr Tom Chesson said “It’s important that the focus should not solely be on the delivery of environmental water. We need to undertake additional activities – like biocontrol of Carp using this virus – if we are to achieve meaningful long-term rehabilitation of our waterways and fish stocks”.
CEO of the Invasive Species Council, Mr Andrew Cox said, "We are right behind Carp biological control. Strong state and federal government investment will be needed to maximise the chance of success."
“It is essential that community engagement and on ground clean-up efforts accompany the release of the virus’ so that water quality and native species fully benefit."
