technology industry: What a load of carp | Centennial Parklands Blog

Load of carp What a load of carp

Yesterday we released 4,000 native bass fingerlings into Centennial Park?s ponds. Why on earth did we do that?

European Carp

The release is part of our ongoing carp reduction program (unfortunately our ponds are not isolated from this pest).

European carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a freshwater fish native to Asia. Like many pests in Australia it was originally intentionally introduced to NSW and Victoria as an ornamental and aquaculture fish. If only we could have had 20/20 hindsight on that one!

So, what do carp do?

Carp degrade the water quality of our ponds and limit the opportunity for native fish populations to become established. It is a prolific breeder and reduces the survival chances for native fish.

It increases turbidity (muddiness created by stirring up sediment) preventing light penetration into the water. Less light penetration affects plant growth, which is a valuable food source for native fish, and contributes to erosion of the banks of the ponds.

Random blog fact: we?ve pulled over 10 tonnes of carp out of Centennial Park?s ponds since 1998!

Yesterday?s native bass fish release, funded through a grant from the Australian Chinese Charity Fund, is one of a number of activities we undertake to control and eradicate carp.

Carp catch in Centennial Park

We also have a coordinated program of line fishing, using traditional fishing methods, to selectively remove carp. This is considered more effective that wider-impact activities such as netting, which risks catching native and non-targeted fish and aquatic life.

Only the use of manufactured and purpose made barbless hooks is permitted, and all participants must undergo a strict induction and are overseen by a cordinator from the Australian National Sports Fishing Association.

Random blog fact: a world record fish was caught in Centennial Park, and recognised as a world record in 2010!

From time-to-time there has been an electro-fishing program aimed at selectively stunning and removing the fish, however this is generally considered quite labout intensive and less effective.

Research too!

We are also involved in a Scientific Management Tagging Program, under the auspices of the University of Western Sydney. The program involves a catch-tag-release approach and has been approved by the Universities Ethics Committee.

The implementation of the program is not only to protect Parklands flora and fauna but also the entire Greater Botany Wetlands System. Tagging allows the monitoring of individual fish and the documentation of distribution, abundance and growth. The data gathered will facilitate how to best manage the population into the future.

How else are we improving the ponds?

Removal of the European carp is just one means by which the Trust is improving the water quality in the Parklands? pond system. Other activities include:

Planting of native water grasses
Pond bank restoration / stabilisation
Installation of gross pollutant traps at the Parklands? stormwater entry points

And hands-on education for the kids!

Here at Centennial Parklands we also believe in lifelong learning through a hands-on approach. We run a tightly controlled Fishing Clinic for Kids every season that aims to educate kids on pest management and provide them with an opportunity to learn how to fish. Such a rare opportunity right in the middle of the city.

And what do we do with the carp?

Most carp that is removed from the ponds are shipped off to be used as commercial fishing bait or to make organic liquid fertiliser!

NO FISHING!

Please note that fishing is not permitted in Centennial Parklands, unless as part of a formal program.