Eradication of the Invasive Common Carp, <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> from a Large Lake: Lessons and Insights from the Tasmanian Experience
Common carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i>, L. 1758) are the most abundant pest fish species in Australia, detrimental to ecosystem integrity and values, and in need of suitable management solutions. In January 1995, this destructive pest was discovered in two large, connected Tasmanian lakes—L...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Fishes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/6/1/6 |
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| author | Jonah L. Yick Chris Wisniewski John Diggle Jawahar G. Patil |
| author_facet | Jonah L. Yick Chris Wisniewski John Diggle Jawahar G. Patil |
| author_sort | Jonah L. Yick |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Common carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i>, L. 1758) are the most abundant pest fish species in Australia, detrimental to ecosystem integrity and values, and in need of suitable management solutions. In January 1995, this destructive pest was discovered in two large, connected Tasmanian lakes—Lakes Crescent (23 km<sup>2</sup>) and Sorell (54 km<sup>2</sup>). After an initial assessment, carp were immediately contained to these waters using screens to prevent their escape down-stream, followed by swift legislation to enforce closure of the lakes to the public. Assessment and evaluation of carp numbers occurred throughout the eradication program, with effort focused on Lake Crescent. Beginning with undirected removal, techniques progressively evolved to more sophisticated targeted removal with assistance from biotelemetry, in conjunction with gill netting and electro-fishing. Real-time population estimates and in situ observations resulted in a detailed cumulative understanding of carp population dynamics, behaviour and seasonal habitat choice. This allowed strategic deployment of fences to block access to marshes, and the installation of steel traps within the fences. These gears specifically prevented spawning opportunities, while concurrently capturing mature fish. Following 12 years of adaptive and integrated effort, 7797 carp (fry, juvenile and adult) were captured from Lake Crescent, with the last carp being caught in December 2007. The subsequent 14 years of monitoring has not resulted in the capture of any carp, confirming the successful eradication of carp from Lake Crescent. These management practices have been successfully replicated in the larger Lake Sorell, where 41,499 carp (fry, juvenile and adult) have been removed. It is now estimated that there are few, if any carp remaining. Collectively, the techniques and strategies described here were reliable, and can be applied as a model to control or eradicate pest populations of carp in freshwater lakes elsewhere. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:37:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c908c220f6694019b78de16c0a19e897 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2410-3888 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:37:49Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fishes |
| spelling | doaj.art-c908c220f6694019b78de16c0a19e8972023-12-11T18:03:43ZengMDPI AGFishes2410-38882021-02-0161610.3390/fishes6010006Eradication of the Invasive Common Carp, <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> from a Large Lake: Lessons and Insights from the Tasmanian ExperienceJonah L. Yick0Chris Wisniewski1John Diggle2Jawahar G. Patil3Inland Fisheries Service, 17 Back River Road, New Norfolk, TAS 7140, AustraliaInland Fisheries Service, 17 Back River Road, New Norfolk, TAS 7140, AustraliaInland Fisheries Service, 17 Back River Road, New Norfolk, TAS 7140, AustraliaFisheries and Aquaculture Centre, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Nubeena Crescent, Taroona, TAS 7053, AustraliaCommon carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i>, L. 1758) are the most abundant pest fish species in Australia, detrimental to ecosystem integrity and values, and in need of suitable management solutions. In January 1995, this destructive pest was discovered in two large, connected Tasmanian lakes—Lakes Crescent (23 km<sup>2</sup>) and Sorell (54 km<sup>2</sup>). After an initial assessment, carp were immediately contained to these waters using screens to prevent their escape down-stream, followed by swift legislation to enforce closure of the lakes to the public. Assessment and evaluation of carp numbers occurred throughout the eradication program, with effort focused on Lake Crescent. Beginning with undirected removal, techniques progressively evolved to more sophisticated targeted removal with assistance from biotelemetry, in conjunction with gill netting and electro-fishing. Real-time population estimates and in situ observations resulted in a detailed cumulative understanding of carp population dynamics, behaviour and seasonal habitat choice. This allowed strategic deployment of fences to block access to marshes, and the installation of steel traps within the fences. These gears specifically prevented spawning opportunities, while concurrently capturing mature fish. Following 12 years of adaptive and integrated effort, 7797 carp (fry, juvenile and adult) were captured from Lake Crescent, with the last carp being caught in December 2007. The subsequent 14 years of monitoring has not resulted in the capture of any carp, confirming the successful eradication of carp from Lake Crescent. These management practices have been successfully replicated in the larger Lake Sorell, where 41,499 carp (fry, juvenile and adult) have been removed. It is now estimated that there are few, if any carp remaining. Collectively, the techniques and strategies described here were reliable, and can be applied as a model to control or eradicate pest populations of carp in freshwater lakes elsewhere.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/6/1/6common carpinvasiveincursionalien fishfyke netpest fish |
| spellingShingle | Jonah L. Yick Chris Wisniewski John Diggle Jawahar G. Patil Eradication of the Invasive Common Carp, <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> from a Large Lake: Lessons and Insights from the Tasmanian Experience Fishes common carp invasive incursion alien fish fyke net pest fish |
| title | Eradication of the Invasive Common Carp, <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> from a Large Lake: Lessons and Insights from the Tasmanian Experience |
| title_full | Eradication of the Invasive Common Carp, <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> from a Large Lake: Lessons and Insights from the Tasmanian Experience |
| title_fullStr | Eradication of the Invasive Common Carp, <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> from a Large Lake: Lessons and Insights from the Tasmanian Experience |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eradication of the Invasive Common Carp, <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> from a Large Lake: Lessons and Insights from the Tasmanian Experience |
| title_short | Eradication of the Invasive Common Carp, <i>Cyprinus carpio</i> from a Large Lake: Lessons and Insights from the Tasmanian Experience |
| title_sort | eradication of the invasive common carp i cyprinus carpio i from a large lake lessons and insights from the tasmanian experience |
| topic | common carp invasive incursion alien fish fyke net pest fish |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/6/1/6 |
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