| Carp | 
|
What is Carp?
Carp is an introduced fish that resides in the Murray-Darling Basin. It is the most common fish found in the Murray River.
What is the problem with Carp?
Carp dwell at the bottom of the river. Like vacuum cleaners, they suck up everything on the bottom of waterways and blow out what they don’t want. They eat plants and animals.
They are prolific, with females producing over one million eggs per kilogram of body weight.
Carp are hardy and adaptable to their environment. They prefer warm, still waters with silt bottoms. Poor water quality is not a problem with carp, they can tolerate low oxygen levels and can survive in water of up to 33% salinity.
<Back to Top...>
Where do Carp come from?
Carp originally came from central Asia. They arrived in central Europe in the 12th century. Carp were introduced in Australia in the 1850’s to help settlers get used to our ‘harsh’ environment. During the 1960’s, Carp illegally imported from Germany, escaped in the River Murray during a flood. They are now the most common fish found in the Murray-Darling Basin.
<Back to Top...>
Can you eat Carp?
Carp are the most farmed and eaten fish species in the world. In Australia they are eaten in restaurants, frozen, canned and dried. They are also exported to Eastern Europe. There is even an Australian recipe book for Carp.
<Back to Top...>
Do Carp destroy our native fish?
Carp do not have teeth to catch and eat other large fish. However, large native fish such as the Murray Cod and Yellow Belly often eat young Carp.
<Back to Top...>
Are Carp the problem or a symptom of other problems in our rivers?
Since Carp were first introduced in Australia, our river systems have suffered massive changes. Changing natural flows have impacted on native fish, while farming practices; industry and urban development have contributed pollution to our waterways. These activities have created an ideal environment for Carp while at the same time disadvantaging our native fish. <Back to Top...>
Can we use Carp?
Commercial fishers have continually fished Carp since 1970. Carp is already processed into fertilizer, fish bait, stock feed, burley, fish seasoning, and as well fresh fish for restaurants. <Back to Top...>
Why don’t we poison Carp or kill them with a virus?
A virus is not an option because it may affect native fish and impact on Australia’s ‘clean-green’ food production status. Carp can be poisoned but the widespread distribution of Carp in Australia limits the use of poison to special cases, such as enclosed water bodies and lakes.
<Back to Top...>
How will Carp be controlled?
Controlling Carp will be a combination of improving river management, using chemicals and genetic manipulation. Efforts to improve river management are already in place in many areas. They included the work of fish, land and water agencies, the Murray Darling Association, Landcare, catchment management organizations, local government, the National Carp Taskforce, community groups, researchers and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. New procedures are being developed for improving water allocations to balance the needs of human consumption with those of the environment, including native fish. Combined with other integrated management techniques, they can achieve a great deal in managing and eventually controlling Carp. <Back to Top...>
What do you do when you catch Carp?
It is illegal to return Carp to the water or transport them live. Do not leave them on the riverbank
<Back to Top...>
What impacts do Carp have on the river?
Compete with some native fish for food and spawning sites.
When in large numbers, can increase the turbidity (browness) of the water through their bottom dwelling feeding.
Increase erosion of stream banks, channels and levees by undermining them, causing them to slump.
Can infect native fish with the anchor worm (a parasite) that can prevent spawning and can be fatal for large adult Murray Cod and golden perch.
<Back to Top...>
What can I do to help?
Do not return Carp to waterways or transport them live once caught.
<Back to Top...>
Carp Information Murray Darling Assocaiton
Carp: Villains or Victims? National Carp Task Force Murray Darling Basin Commission
Fish Management Strategy More about Carp |
