EUROPEAN carp are one of those pests we rarely see yet are ever present in our waterways. They 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.
In order to manage them in the lakes around the municipality, Greater Shepparton City Council will again conduct electro-fishing for the purpose of European Carp removal in some lakes in the municipality from Monday, December 7 to Friday, December 11.
Electro-fishing is part of Council’s ongoing carp management practices.
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, December 7), Kialla Lakes (on Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9), Mooroopna Recreation Reserve Lake and Craigmuir Lake Mooroopna on Thursday, December 10 and Lake Bartlett in Tatura on Friday, December 11.
“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.
