EIGHTY delegates from across the Murray-Darling Basin recently attended the Murray-Darling Basin Carp Action Summit at Nagambie. The Summit was co- hosted by the VFA and the Australian River Restoration.
Centre to drive mean coordinated action on European carp, one of Australia’s most significant aquatic environmental challenges. The Summit brought together people representing 41 community, farming, fishing, processing, research, and natural resource organisations and leaders. The Summit was convened to reflect growing community concerns about carp.
For more than 50 years, carp have degraded our river ecosystems, water quality, native fisheries, impacted communities, agriculture, and cultural values. While there has been a focus on carp biocontrol research for at least 20 years culminating in the National Carp Control Plan, there is still no federal carp control programs in place and no clear timelines for a decision on carp biocontrol. By contrast, over this period billions of dollars have been directed to controlling a dozen other invasive pests like feral pigs, rabbits, deer, cats, goats, fire ants, and others.
Summit delegates agreed to support the establishment of a Carp Action Alliance. The Alliance will create a diverse network of fishing, farming, research, conservation from government and non-government organisations with an expertise on carp to work together to secure investment and mobilise action on carp where it is most needed. The VFA is currently consulting on the terms of reference from the alliance, membership, and funding arrangements. We expect to make an
announcement on this initiative soon.
The summit included a bus tour of our Arcadia Native Fish hatchery and, an electrofishing demonstration on the Goulburn River where lots of carp and a few healthy golden perch were eclipsed by a magnificent 1.1 metre Murray cod.
For more information about the Murray- Darling Carp Action Summit and to view speakers and there PowerPoint presentations, visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/carpsummit
