<
https://theconversation.com/exploding-carp-numbers-are-like-a-house-of-horrors-for-our-rivers-is-it-time-to-unleash-carp-herpes-198067>
"With widespread La Niña flooding in the Murray-Darling Basin, common carp
(
Cyprinus carpio) populations are having a boom year. Videos of writhing
masses of both adult and young fish illustrate that all is not well in our
rivers. Carp now account for up to 90% of live fish mass in some rivers.
Concerned communities are wondering whether it is, at last, time for Australia
to unleash the carp herpes virus to control populations – but the conversation
among scientists, conservationists, communities and government bodies is only
just beginning.
Globally, the carp virus has been detected in more than 30 countries but never
in Australia. There are valid concerns to any future Australian release,
including cleaning up dead carp, and potential significant reductions of water
quality and native fish.
As river scientists and native fish lovers, let’s weigh the benefits of
releasing the virus against the risks, set within a context of a greater vision
of river recovery."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
