The feeding habits of the European carp, Cyprinus Carpio, have a detrimental effect on water quality and create an unfavourable environment for other species. Carp are benthivorous fish that feed in and on sediment; this is destructive to aquatic plants, which provide critical feeding, spawning and nursery habitat for native fish, increases turbidity by suspending sediments, and mobilises sediment bound phosphorus.
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A new biocontrol agent to control this aquatic pest, which is now ubiquitous in all but the uppermost reaches of NSW waterways, is currently under investigation.
Australia's history of biological control hasn't been unblemished and the public are being invited to have their say on the possible use of the use of a species-specific virus, Cyprinid herpesvirus 3.
Central Tablelands residents are invited to attend a community briefing session to find out more about the National Carp Control Plan (NCCP), the research underpinning the biocontrol agent and how potential risks are being identified.
The community briefing session will be hosted by the NCCP and Central Tablelands Local Land Services on Monday, November 27 from 6-8pm at Bathurst Panthers Club.
This event is one of more than 40 community briefing sessions which will be held in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT, Queensland and Western Australia in coming months.
To find out more about the NCCP visit www.carp.gov.au or call Casey Proctor at Central Tablelands Local Land Services on 0429 110 072.