The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, together with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), have published the National Carp Control Plan (NCCP).
The NCCP is now available on the department’s webpage.
Common carp are an invasive fish that can cause serious and widespread damage to Australian freshwater ecosystems.
The Australian Government has made an important investment toward research and development to help reduce their impact in Australia.
The NCCP was the largest feasibility assessment of a biological control agent in Australia.
The program involved 11 national and international research institutions and over 40 research scientists. The report assesses the feasibility of using Cyprinid herpes virus 3 (the carp virus) as a biological control agent for common carp.
The NCCP has been published prior to any formal consideration and decision-making process by governments and ministers.
The information contained in the NCCP has been provided to jurisdictions. Once it has been considered advice will be prepared for Australian and state and territory agriculture ministers on any next steps with the biological control program.
The NCCP proposes progressing work on a number of significant issues before being in a position to decide on the release of the virus. These include further research, including on the safety of the virus to non-carp species, regulatory approvals, agreement from all relevant jurisdictions, and extensive stakeholder consultation.
The carp virus has not been released into any Australian waterways.
Further documentation, including research papers, is available on the FRDC website at www.frdc.com.au/knowledge-hub/national-carp-control-plan.
