BATHURST residents are invited to a community information session on plans to introduce a new virus to control carp numbers in the Macquarie River.
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The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) and Central Tablelands Local Land Services will host the session at Bathurst Panthers from 6pm-8pm on Monday, November 27.
Participants will hear first-hand from the NCCP and Local Land Services on a range of carp control options, focusing on the use of species-specific virus Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (the carp virus) as a bio-control agent.
The sessions provide a chance for people to ask questions, raise concerns and discuss how they might be involved.
There will be more than 30 sessions held across the Natural Resource Management Zones where carp is a problem.
It’s part of the Federal Government's $15 million commitment to reduce carp by 95 per cent by 2045.
The plan outlines the intended release of a carp-specific biological control agent to achieve that goal at an acceptable cost.
The earliest possible release date for carp herpes virus is late 2018.
Researchers from five states are collaborating to develop an international best-practice method to determine the total biomass of carp in Australia’s waterways.
The total biomass of carp in our waterways is estimated between 500,000 and 2 million tonnes.
The community forums provide an opportunity to discuss the NCCP process and allow people to have input into the development of the final recommendation.
The presentations will also be posted online for those who can't make it to the forums.
The NCCP meetings will be held at Bathurst Panthers from 6pm to 8pm on November 27, and Dubbo's Westside Hotel from 6pm to 8pm on November 28.
To find out more, visit www.carp.gov.au/What-we-are-doing/Consultation