It was standing room only at Nagambie last week as 80 community leaders from across Australia's fishing, conservation, farming and scientific sectors travelled far and wide to attend a Murray Darling Carp Action Summit.
The summit, which included delegates from 41 community, research and natural resource organisations, heard a chorus of concern about the devastating impacts of carp on waterways, water quality and threatened native fish.
Researchers confirmed that after nearly 20 years of research, the carp herpes virus has the potential to reduce carp populations by 40 to 60 per cent, if, and when, the Federal government approves its use.
Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said the carp virus (if released) would be a game changer as it's the only catchment-scale solution to our wicked carp problem.
Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University Ivor Stuart said science shows that once carp biomass is reduced below critical density thresholds, river and wetland systems can shift from chronic degradation toward recovery, including improvements in water quality, aquatic vegetation, native fish populations and broader biodiversity.
Summit facilitator and CEO of the Australian River Restoration Centre, Dr Siwan Lovett, said there was a strong view at the summit that the Federal Government should deal with carp under the EPBC Act through the development of a National Threat Abatement Plan and to support integrated control plans where carp control is most needed.
Dr Lovett said the formation of the Carp Action Alliance is a wonderful opportunity to bring together communities across diverse sectors to work with federal, state and local governments to restore river health by dealing with carp.
"Progress to formalise the Carp Action Alliance is underway, starting with a draft statement of intent, finalising membership and developing an action plan," she said.
A communique from the Murray Darling Carp Action Summit advocates for more action and resources to deal with carp including being part of the control program design and delivery. It can be found at https://vfa.vic.gov.au/carp
