Listen and look for carp ‘getting it on’ this Spring


Released 03/10/2018

Spring is the season for love and carp are no exception. As the water temperature increases, so does the carp’s desire to breed and Waterwatch is urging people to report sightings of this pest species “getting it on” as part of their ‘Carp Love 20°C’ campaign.

“Don’t be shy. Basically, we need everyone to be on the look-out for carp doing what comes naturally between October and December when the water temperature is around 20°C,” said ACT Waterwatch Facilitator Woo O’Reilly.

“Spotters often hear carp before they see them. Carp tend to congregate in vegetated areas in creeks and rivers and on the edges of lakes. They can be quite close to the surface, moving around a lot and splashing.

“Remember – listen for splashing, look for carp and log your sightings at www.feralfishscan.org.au.

People are also being encouraged to photograph or video the carp and share it on either the Waterwatch Facebook or Twitter sites @ACTLandWater using the hashtag #carplove20. Photos and videos will help others know what to look for – plus you can score a free ‘Carp Love 20°C’ t-shirt!

“The more we know about where carp breed in the ACT region, the better we can ultimately manage their numbers. For example, if a biological control is used in the future – with research currently taking place as part of Australian Government’s National Carp Control Plan – we can target known breeding areas for release and be more effective.

“Carp make up more than 85 per cent of the biomass in our waterways and cause significant environmental problems. Last year, as part of the ACT Government’s Healthy Waterways project, more than five tons of carp were removed from two drained ponds in Tuggeranong. Hardly any native fish were found.

“So log your sighting online at www.feralfishscan.org.au and take a photo or video and share it on Waterwatch social media with #carplove20 to score a free t-shirt!”

Waterwatch is partly funded by ACT Healthy Waterways, a joint initiative of the ACT and Australian governments to improve the quality of water entering our local waterways and the Murrumbidgee River system.

FeralFishScan is a component of the FeralScan Program funded through the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions and its members and partners.

For more about Carp Love 20°C visit the: Waterwatch website.

- Statement ends -

ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate | Media Releases

Media Contacts

Name Phone Mobile Email

Geoff Virtue

(02) 6205 0312

0401 766 218

geoff.virtue@act.gov.au


«ACT Government Media Releases | «Directorate Media Releases