European Carp (Cyprinus carpio), or common carp, are a highly destructive invasive freshwater pest of Australia’s inland waters. They cause wide-ranging environmental, social, and economic consequences, particularly for local communities across the Murray-Darling Basin. Carp are now in every state and territory in Australia except the Northern Territory.

The department’s Environmental Biosecurity Office is leading the work to assess the feasibility of introducing the carp virus into Australian waterways to control carp numbers.

The carp virus cannot be removed from waterways once introduced, so a full risk assessment of Australia’s unique native species is essential before a final decision to use it as a biological control agent is made by all Agriculture Ministers.

The department is currently prioritising the necessary research, regulatory assessments and national coordination needed to allow the safe potential release of the virus.

Please join us for a webinar update on this important work. Our presenters include Dr Narelle Clegg, Assistant Secretary of the department’s Animal Health Policy branch and the Chair of the Carp Scientific Advisory Group, and Dr Bertie Hennecke, the Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer. Dr Hennecke will also facilitate the Q&A discussion.  

The webinar will be hosted on Microsoft Teams Live. To join the webinar, CLICK HERE.

Please save or copy the meeting item attached in your calendar.

If you have any questions, please contact us at acebo@aff.gov.au