Draft Carp Control Plan seeks to eradicate common pest

The NSW Government has unveiled its plan to control one of Australia’s worst aquatic pests, Cyprinus carpio, better known as the Common carp, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald announced today.

“The Draft Carp Control Plan is an important and integrated step forward in addressing this noxious pest that has successfully invaded many inland NSW creeks, rivers, waterways and farm dams,” Minister Macdonald said.

“This introduced species has detrimentally impacted native flora and fauna and local aquatic environments.

Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) strategy leader in aquatic biosecurity pests, Rebecca Chapman, said the Draft Control Plan is designed to provide a framework for carp management by outlining existing actions and identifying priority areas for future action.

“This control plan brings together the most up-to-date information about the biology and impacts of this species into one document that outlines what is currently being done - and what should be done, to stop further spread of carp, control the size of carp populations and increase the understanding and involvement of the community,” Ms Chapman said.

“The Draft Carp Control Plan takes into account the scale of the carp problem in NSW and takes into consideration some of the limitations to effective control including limited resources and a lack of large-scale control techniques.

“At the same time it recognises that carp control can be highly effective when it is well planned, targeted and coordinated.

“An important part of this process will be the release of the draft plan for public comment and I encourage people to have their say on this significant and widespread problem.”

The practice of introducing fish into areas outside of their natural habitat has been listed as a key threatening process under the Fisheries Management Act 1994.

Carp are currently listed as a Class 3 noxious fish in NSW under the noxious species provision of the Fisheries Management Act.

This listing means it is not prohibited to keep or sell carp (including koi carp) but recognises that wild carp are a significant and widespread pest in NSW.

Further information about carp include:

• Carp in farm dams (Primefact 965)
• Draft NSW Carp Control Plan for Public Comment

Public comment and submissions on the Draft Carp Control Plan can be made by mail or emailed to aquatic.pests@industry.nsw.gov.au by the close of business Friday 29 January 2010.