Raised by Cr Adrian Weston, the motion backed a Federal Government plan to introduce the cyprinid herpesvirus to the environment as a way to control the invasive European species.
“A lot of work has been done on that virus, to look at how it can be used as a biological tool to control carp in the Murray-Darling Basin, in particular,” Cr Weston said.
“There are other components to control carp included in the National Carp Control Program, including electro fishing, the daughterless carp program and putting carp intervention devices on fish ladders that we use, for example.”
Six years of research into the carp virus has been undertaken by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
Its introduction is aimed at reducing environmental degradation caused by carp, whose activity impacts water quality, and protecting native species.
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority recently prepared correspondence for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins in response to local government concerns.
The letter outlines the impact of carp populations on local waterways, and advises in-principle support and funding of the National Carp Control Plan, which the council has endorsed.
Cr Rob Amos was not outright against the motion, but said the crux of the letter was to release the carp virus, which he raised concerns about.
“I think if we look through the history of Australia, we've seen this sort of thing happen before with devastating effects,” he said.
Among his concerns were reduced water quality from large-scale death events, carp developing immunity to the virus over time, virus mutation and recreational water use disruption.
“The science is clear that the virus could reduce carp numbers, but the government’s challenge is managing the aftermath of mass die-offs,” Cr Amos said.
Cr Weston acknowledged the risks introducing the virus carried, but said there were plans in place to deal with the potential negative effects.
Preparing mass stocks of native fish for release following the virus’ introduction would give populations a chance to rally, which Cr Weston said would help to manage carp numbers.
“The single biggest thing that could improve the health of the whole Murray-Darling Basin now would be to have a Murray-Darling Basin that did not have carp in it,” he said.
“The effects would be profound.”
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