don't put carp in the too hard basket

Wangaratta Sustainability Networks Carp removal program

presented by Tony Lane & Kelvin Berry

The Beginning

“Clean up” the Ovens River – remove European Carp

http://www.flickriver.com/places/Australia/Victoria/Wangaratta/search/

Initial approach- 3years Carp pod trap program

Community involvement

Disposal- value as a resource

Working with schools

Seizing opportunity's

Ovens River Catchment

• Contained catchment draining into Murray River.

Project area

Ovens River

Rocky point – Boorhaman

(46km direct line)

King River

& smaller tributaries

X

X

Forming a partnership ARI Electrofishing Landholders adjoining the rivers Team with and extend the program by WSN sourcing their own funding. Capacity to cover a larger area, new sites

Larger sample size aids in understanding Breeding cycles Movement of carp through river system Locating carp hot spots Recolonising rates

Creating awareness

Media- extensive local support

Print North East Angler magazine

Volunteers

Recreational fishers

Bait and tackle shops

Interest from other

Landcare Groups & Catchments

Results Collect robust data- scientific standard

Location

Numbers

Size

Total 1211 carp removed

4160KG (4 tonne)

What the results said?

0

10

20

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50

60

32 33 34 35 36 37 383940 4243444546 48 50 52 54 5556 58 60 62636465666768 70 72 73 74 76 78 80 82 84

Carp Qty & Size Qty

Length cm

Total number of carp caught 473

What the results said?

0

10

20

30

40

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60

70

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 Site 7 Site 8 Site 9 Site 10 Site 11 Site 12 Site 13 Site 14 Site 15 Site 16 Site 17 Site 18

Number of carp caught at each site Qty

Next approach…ideas Starts today.. .forming additional partnerships & networks.

Confirming the role of a community group in carp control & river health.

Establish the next three year plan.

Determining the appropriate use of

Electrofishing –boat & backpack

Pod traps

Carp cages

Community fishing events

• Sharing our success.

What does success look like?

caught

& released

caught & disposed