Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Thursday, 3 December, 2020. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Carp removal in lakes

Electro-fishing is part of Council’s ongoing carp management practices.

European carp are an introduced species that have detrimental effects on native aquatic plants, animals and on river and lake health through their destructive feeding habits. They reduce the water quality, increase algal blooms, cause erosion, feed on native invertebrates and aquatic plants and compete for resources with native species.

The electro fishing process involves emitting high voltage current into the nearby water, which stuns all fish caught in the electromagnetic field. All stunned fish are removed from the water and kept in holding tanks until the electro-fishing is completed in that area. The fish are not harmed by the electro-fishing and recover quickly. Native fish species are then returned back into the water unharmed and the carp are removed.

The lakes to be treated include Victoria Park Lake on Monday 7 December, Kialla Lakes on Tuesday 8 December and Wednesday 9 December, Mooroopna Recreation Reserve Lake and Craigmuir Lake Mooroopna on Thursday 10 December and Lake Bartlett in Tatura on Friday 11 December.

“This is an important environmental program that has proven to be effective in reducing the European Carp population, with flow on benefits for the native fish. Council asks residents not to fish, enter the water or let dogs swim in the lakes during this time,” Council’s Acting Director Infrastructure Craig Exton said.

For more information please contact Timothy Zak or Paul Parsons on 5832 9700. For general information on the impacts of carp click here.