Government’s carp solution criticised
Belgian, English and Australian scientists are calling on the Australian authorities to review their decision to introduce the carp herpes virus as a way to combat the common carp having colonised the country’s rivers.
In a letter published in the journal Science, they not only believe that this measure will be ineffective but that it also represents a risk to ecosystems.
On a global scale, the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is one of the most important fish species in fish farming. Its annual production ranges between four and five million tonnes.
Initially introduced to Australia for production in fish farms, the species has gradually colonised the rivers to the point of dominating the indigenous species.
One of the methods proposed by the Australian government to reduce the number of carp is to release a virus which is deadly to this species. However, scientists note that data currently available on the carp’s biology, the pathogeny of the virus and the ecology of Australian rivers suggests that this tactic will not be effective and could even represent a risk to ecosystems.
Before the large-scale release of the Koi herpesvirus, which will be costly (the plan proposed has a budget of $18 million) and irreversible, assessments must be carried out on the virus’ actual capacity to sustainably reduce Australian carp populations living freely without harming the indigenous ecosystems.
The letter’s authors advocate for the introduction of limited testing to safely assess if the virus can effectively control carp populations without harming ecosystems.
Would you like to see more testing done before the Government releases the carp herpes virus? Are you worried about our domestic fish?
This might come as a surprise to lots of people. Consumer demand for the introduced river pest has been growing rapidly in Australia in recent years.The introduced species is sold domestically primarily for lawn fertiliser and bait products but it has long been one of the most popular table fish in Asia and Europe.
Last financial year, the Sydney Fish Market sold 83,000 kilograms of carp and it expects sales will continue to increase.
ABC
Pic: Dietitians Assoc.of Australia.
I do NOT trust our scientists .. just look at the cane toad disaster.
The native fauna is at risk.