February 23, 2026
European carp are an invasive pest species that were introduced into Australian waterways more than 100 years ago. Their populations are now established in all Australian states and territories – except the Northern Territory and now Tasmania, thanks to successful eradication efforts in a closed lake system.
Noxious European carp are the ‘rabbits’ of our rivers and continue to impact heavily on native fish populations, water quality, riverine ecosystem health, and cause immense environmental degradation and impact recreational fishing opportunities.
Across southeastern Australia, carp dominate freshwater fish communities and in some areas make up a significant proportion of fish biomass, sometimes more than 80%, in areas of the Murray Darling Basin.
According to the FRDC, a national survey reported that the public perceive carp as the fourth most significant vertebrate pest in Australia (after cane toads, feral cats and rabbits). With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that controlling carp numbers is a consistently hot topic among freshwater fishers and river communities.
Over the years, a range of carp control measures have been trialled such as harvesting carp through baiting, netting, traps, and electrofishing, exclusion barriers and recreational fishing. There has been research into ‘daughterless carp‘ where genes are modified so that carp can only produce male offspring. Biological control agents have also been looked into since the 2000’s. Most recently through the National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) which has investigated the potential use of Cyprinid herpesvirus-3 (CyHV-3, or ‘the carp virus’) to control carp numbers in Australia.
National Carp Control Plan
Around 10 years ago, in 2016, the Australian Government funded the National Carp Control Plan (NCCP), with $10.37 million allocated to Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) to lead the research. The NCCP is using scientific research and community consultation to inform evidence-based decision making on future carp control in Australia. In particular, biological control using Cyprinid herpesvirus-3 (CyHV-3, or ‘the carp virus’).
Led by the FRDC, the NCCP investigated the use of carp virus to control carp numbers in Australia. The FRDC undertook extensive consultation, detailed investigations and targeted research. Eleven research institutions and more than 40 research scientists contributed to the study as well as expert workgroups.
In November 2022, the NCCP was published publicly. It made several key findings, including:
- If successful, the carp virus could reduce carp populations by approximately 40–60%.
- Integrated approaches may help to further reduce the impact of carp.
- Releasing the virus would most likely, cause an initial major outbreak followed by ongoing seasonal outbreaks that suppress the carp population.
While the NCCP confirmed that the carp virus has credible potential as a biocontrol agent. It also noted that further research is required. This includes:
- more testing to ensure other species are not susceptible to the carp virus
- further understanding of disease transmission and ongoing effect of the virus in natural settings
- cost and benefits analysis of using the carp virus as a form of biocontrol to manage carp.
In 2024, a further $3-million in research funding was announced to address some of the information gaps and answer questions raised in the NCCP. This extra research is expected to conclude in 2028 and additional assessment by regulatory agencies will also be required.
It’s up to the Australian Government to determine if carp biocontrol will be implemented and other critical works are required before any decisions are made. There’s no clear timeline on when a decision will be made.
According to the NCCP, releasing the carp virus has the potential to control carp populations by reducing them by up to 60%. However, the virus alone will not eradicate carp, nor will it provide a stand-alone solution for controlling carp in perpetuity.
If carp biocontrol is successfully implemented in Australia, it can present an opportunity to develop and refine other carp control measures that could be deployed against carp populations while they are reduced by viral disease.
What’s happening in Victoria?
In Victoria, the Victorian Fisheries Authority launched a Carpe Diem campaign to raise awareness around the need for action on carp control and the negative impact they have on our waterways and native fish populations. Carp is listed as a noxious species under Victoria’s fisheries legislation.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority have nominated European carp as a key threatening process under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act 1999. If accepted by the Australian Government, listing carp as a key threatening process will trigger preparation of a threat abatement plan, which can be used to guide various decisions relevant to controlling the carp population more effectively.
The Victorian Fisheries Authority have also nominated carp for listing as potentially threatening process under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
According to the Victorian Fisheries Authority, the nominations provide a foundation for building a coordinated approach to improve the health of our freshwater native fisheries and aquatic ecosystems by managing carp.
To increase recreational fisher knowledge on carp, the impact they have on our waterways and how responsible fishing can make a difference, Fishcare Victoria will be running a new Catch a Carp education program. Funded through the Large Recreational Fishing Grants Program, the events will feature hands-on demonstrations, expert talks and guest speakers. The events will be run in Geelong, Bairnsdale, Melbourne, Ballarat and southwest Victoria. More information on the program is expected soon.
As the independent peak body for recreational fishing in Victoria, VRFish will continue to advocate for carp control measures that will give our struggling waterways a chance to recover from the damage caused by this highly invasive species and provide a boost our native freshwater fish populations. All the best available information and research will be analysed and interrogated by VRFish prior to endorsing a release of the carp virus and/or other carp control measures.
VRFish is of the belief that any plans to control carp populations should include complementary measures such as a native fish recovery and stocking plan and restoring habitat. This allows recreational fishers to play a vital role in supporting on-ground actions, clean-up operations and response.
Resources
Find out more about carp control:
- Australian Government | Carp Biological Control Program
- Australian Government | National Carp Control Plan
- FRDC | National Carp Control Plan
- Victorian Fisheries Authority | Carpe Diem
- View the National Carp Control Plan
