Scientists warn Parliament of the dangers of killing off carp in the River Murray
KILLING tonnes of carp in the Murray will turn the water into a sewage-like sludge as they bleed profusely, die and rot, scientists have told Parliament.
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KILLING tonnes of carp in the Murray will turn the water into a sewage-like sludge as they bleed profusely, die and rot, scientists have told Parliament.
A range of experts have spoken out against the audacious plan to give the pest herpes, a mass culling that could result in hundreds of thousands of tonnes of rotting fish.
The invasive species is wrecking water quality in the Murray and threatening native fish. Former Water Minister Barnaby Joyce announced the National Carp Control Plan would consider giving them a deadly herpes virus and those working on the plan are researching how to remove and make use of the corpses.
Federal senators have heard from a range of experts in Canberra who think there will be unintended consequences.
Queensland scientist Dr Jonathan Marshall — appearing in a private capacity — said some dead fish would float, some would sink, but they’d all decompose and that was a process that would strip the water of oxygen.
UK biological scientist Dr Jackie Lighten said they would “profusely leak blood” and referred to research that shows the quality of the water “would be comparable to sewage in terms of the levels of different nutrients in the water”.
Dr Richmond Loh, a veterinary pathologist and past president of World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association, said the process would produce botulism that could spread through the water, and that cattle were highly susceptible to botulism through the food chain. Coorong ecologist Faith Coleman said haemorrhagic E. coli would pose a danger to humans.
The NCCP has previously responded to similar claims, saying they are aware of the concerns and are shaping the ongoing research around those sorts of questions.
The program managers said they welcome robust discussion about the plan’s processes and progress.
The Advertiser asked the NCCP for further comment.