1.5 million carp

[rayke1938]

One for new member Markus.

Its from NSW DPI website and good to see.

1.5 million carp removed from Moira Lake

02 Jun 2010

Approximately 32 tonnes of juvenile European carp, or about 1.5 million fish, have been successfully removed from Moira Lake, south of Deniliquin.

The regular carp catch is part of a strategy developed by Industry & Investment NSW, Forests NSW and the Murray Wetlands Working Group to rehabilitate Moira Lake.

Moira Lake used to form the basis of one of the largest commercial fisheries in inland Australia, but now carp comprise around 96 per cent of the lake’s fish biomass.

Forests NSW ecologist Karen Hudson said the carp were removed by K&C Fisheries Global Pty Ltd - the largest carp harvesting and processing company in the Southern Hemisphere.

"The carp catch involved draining Moira Lake to draw the fish towards a regulator fitted with a mesh grid to stop the carp escaping, while at the same time allowing small native fish to pass freely back into the Murray River," Ms Hudson said.

"It is relatively easy to remove them using a large dip net because the carp congregated in a corral of steel and netting at the front of the regulator.

"By removing 32 tonnes of carp, we are basically taking out a lot of next spring’s breeding stock."

Company director of K&C Fisheries Global Pty Ltd, Keith Bell, said the majority of the catch were in the 50-100mm long range.

"The carp have gone to Charlie Carp at Deniliquin for fertiliser and to other markets including fish emulsion and crayfish bait, while some of the smaller fish (up to 70mm) are going to Japan for pet food trials," Mr Bell said.

"A further 40 tonnes (size 50-100mm) of carp could not be removed from the lake because they were dying due to the low water level and were unsuitable for processing.

"The birds, including sea eagles and kites, had a feeding frenzy on the remaining fish."

Media contact: Sarah Chester (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669

[Kenshin]

good to see however i wonder how many perch and other natives got caught up in this...... wish qld would spend some money on carp and talapia control/erradication