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European carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The dominant fish in much of the Murray-Darling Basin. Carp stir up sediment, uproot water plants and degrade habitat for native fish.

Key facts

Type: Pest animal, fish.

Native to: Europe and Asia.

Established in: QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA, WA.

Identification

  • Large, bronze to olive fish with large scales.
  • Two pairs of barbels at the corners of the mouth.
  • Look-alike: Goldfish lack barbels.

Where it lives

Rivers, lakes, wetlands and farm dams, especially in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Why it matters

  • Muddy water and loss of aquatic plants.
  • Competition with native fish.

How it spreads

  • Illegal releases and use as live bait.
  • Movement during floods.

Control methods

  • Never return carp to the water alive.
  • Commercial fishing, carp traps and barriers at wetland inlets.
  • Humane euthanasia on capture.

Site hygiene and welfare

  • Check, clean and dry nets and gear before moving between catchments.
  • Use methods set out in the national model codes of practice and standard operating procedures for the species.
  • Coordinate control with neighbours and the local government biosecurity plan, as isolated effort is quickly undone by reinvasion.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Restricted matter, categories 3, 5, 6, 7. Do not give it away, sell or release it into the environment; do not keep it; do not feed it; kill it and dispose of it. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: General biosecurity duty. Not prohibited matter in NSW. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Noxious aquatic species. Declared a noxious aquatic species under the Fisheries Act 1995, so it must not be brought into Victoria, kept, sold, moved or released into waters. Report any sighting to the Victorian Fisheries Authority on 13 FISH (13 3474).
  • South Australia: Noxious species. Declared a noxious species under the Fisheries Management Act 2007, so it must not be brought into South Australia, kept, sold or released, and it must not be returned to the water alive. Report any sighting to PIRSA FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522.
  • Western Australia: Not listed. Not found in the Western Australian Organism List. Check with DPIRD before moving or keeping it.
  • Tasmania: Declared pest. It is a declared pest under the Biosecurity Act 2019 (Tas). Report sightings to Biosecurity Tasmania and follow any management requirements.
  • Northern Territory: Not a declared pest. Not on an NT declared or prohibited list. Check with the NT Government before keeping, moving or releasing it.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Declared pest, prohibited. It is a declared pest throughout the ACT. Dealing with it, such as selling, moving or keeping it, is prohibited.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Queensland: Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), administered by Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)
  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Australian Capital Territory: Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT), administered by ACT Biosecurity
  • Victoria: Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (Vic), administered by Agriculture Victoria
  • Tasmania: Biosecurity Act 2019 (Tas), administered by Biosecurity Tasmania
  • South Australia: Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (SA), administered by the regional landscape board
  • Western Australia: Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), administered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Sources