'They're everywhere!': Fisherman exposes shocking find among waterways
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Australians take great pride in their unique and diverse ecosystems.
These ecosystems are home to an array of flora and fauna only found in the country.
However, some of these ecosystems face a silent invasion that could threaten the balance of our environment.
Gerry Morsman, a seasoned fishing tackle representative who frequents the rivers of Victoria and New South Wales, raised the alarm about the worrying proliferation of the European carp.
'They're everywhere,' Mr Morsman lamented in an interview after witnessing large schools of carp in a small body of water in Cobram, Victoria.
These schools of carp were spotted alarmingly close to a local caravan park.
'They'll get into every system around the whole area, and they breed like no other; it's ridiculous,' Mr Morsman added.
His observations were not isolated incidents; they reflected a broader issue that's been escalating over the years.
The European carp is not a native Australian species.
The fish has been taking over waterways with astonishing speed and tenacity.
Recent footage also showed these hardy fish surviving in mere puddles just after heavy rainfall.
Dr Carol Booth from the Invasive Species Council described carp as one of Australia's 'big invasive problems' since the 1960s.
In the 1970s, the European carp spread in the Murray-Darling Basin—an ecologically significant area where carp now make up 95 per cent of the fish biomass.
The European carp are resilient and adaptable, as they can thrive in a variety of aquatic habitats, including rivers, wetlands, and man-made irrigation channels.
Their feeding habits—which involve sucking up sediment from the bottom—degrade water quality and pose a significant threat to native aquatic species.
Some species are now listed as rare or threatened due to displacement by the invasive carp.
The stirred-up sediment from carp activity could smother aquatic vegetation and contribute to further damage to the ecosystem.
In Victoria, carp are classified as a noxious aquatic species.
These, in turn, make them illegal for possession, transport, release, or usage as fishing bait.
While consumption of carp is allowed in Victoria and New South Wales, it is prohibited in Queensland due to the risks associated with spreading the species.
One controversial solution to combat the carp invasion was releasing a herpes virus into river systems.
This virus could reduce carp populations by up to 60 per cent.
However, this plan has yet to be approved and has no set timeline for implementation.
Watch Gerry Morsman's video about the carp here:
Source: @gerry_mor/TikTok
Gerry Morsman was among many fishermen who opposed the idea.
'They say it'll only kill the carp, but it's a big risk,' Mr Morsman stated.
Instead, he suggested that changes to laws around using cast nets, electrofishing, and encouraging anglers to catch carp could be more effective measures.
Despite being considered a 'good sport fish', carp are not popular for consumption due to their muddy taste.
Dr Booth acknowledged that the release of the virus is 'still being considered', but emphasised that it is far from being a done deal.
'There's been a lot of consideration of the pros and cons, and there are still some unanswered questions that are the focus of further investigation,' she explained.
'We're moving closer to a decision on if it's a good idea.'
The challenge with controlling carp populations lies in their prolific breeding capabilities.
This could make traditional fishing methods insufficient for controlling their numbers.
As authorities continue to explore solutions, the invasion of carp in Australian waterways is a complex issue that requires careful consideration.
Have you noticed the rise of carp in your local waterways? How should authorities and fishmongers address this problem? Join the conversation and let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
These ecosystems are home to an array of flora and fauna only found in the country.
However, some of these ecosystems face a silent invasion that could threaten the balance of our environment.
Gerry Morsman, a seasoned fishing tackle representative who frequents the rivers of Victoria and New South Wales, raised the alarm about the worrying proliferation of the European carp.
'They're everywhere,' Mr Morsman lamented in an interview after witnessing large schools of carp in a small body of water in Cobram, Victoria.
These schools of carp were spotted alarmingly close to a local caravan park.
Fisherman Gerry Morsman found a couple of European carp swimming around waterways. Image Credit: TikTok/Gerry Morsman
'They'll get into every system around the whole area, and they breed like no other; it's ridiculous,' Mr Morsman added.
His observations were not isolated incidents; they reflected a broader issue that's been escalating over the years.
The European carp is not a native Australian species.
The fish has been taking over waterways with astonishing speed and tenacity.
Recent footage also showed these hardy fish surviving in mere puddles just after heavy rainfall.
Dr Carol Booth from the Invasive Species Council described carp as one of Australia's 'big invasive problems' since the 1960s.
In the 1970s, the European carp spread in the Murray-Darling Basin—an ecologically significant area where carp now make up 95 per cent of the fish biomass.
The European carp are resilient and adaptable, as they can thrive in a variety of aquatic habitats, including rivers, wetlands, and man-made irrigation channels.
Their feeding habits—which involve sucking up sediment from the bottom—degrade water quality and pose a significant threat to native aquatic species.
Some species are now listed as rare or threatened due to displacement by the invasive carp.
The stirred-up sediment from carp activity could smother aquatic vegetation and contribute to further damage to the ecosystem.
In Victoria, carp are classified as a noxious aquatic species.
These, in turn, make them illegal for possession, transport, release, or usage as fishing bait.
While consumption of carp is allowed in Victoria and New South Wales, it is prohibited in Queensland due to the risks associated with spreading the species.
One controversial solution to combat the carp invasion was releasing a herpes virus into river systems.
This virus could reduce carp populations by up to 60 per cent.
However, this plan has yet to be approved and has no set timeline for implementation.
Watch Gerry Morsman's video about the carp here:
Source: @gerry_mor/TikTok
Gerry Morsman was among many fishermen who opposed the idea.
'They say it'll only kill the carp, but it's a big risk,' Mr Morsman stated.
Instead, he suggested that changes to laws around using cast nets, electrofishing, and encouraging anglers to catch carp could be more effective measures.
Despite being considered a 'good sport fish', carp are not popular for consumption due to their muddy taste.
Dr Booth acknowledged that the release of the virus is 'still being considered', but emphasised that it is far from being a done deal.
'There's been a lot of consideration of the pros and cons, and there are still some unanswered questions that are the focus of further investigation,' she explained.
'We're moving closer to a decision on if it's a good idea.'
The challenge with controlling carp populations lies in their prolific breeding capabilities.
This could make traditional fishing methods insufficient for controlling their numbers.
As authorities continue to explore solutions, the invasion of carp in Australian waterways is a complex issue that requires careful consideration.
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