NCCP: assessment of options for utilisation of virus infected carp

Wild carp (Cyprinus carpio) are an invasive species found throughout Australian freshwater systems. The Australian Federal government has developed the National Carp Control Plan which will assess the feasibility and potentially manage the release of Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) as a biocontrol agent for the invasive carp. The virus is expected to reduce the carp population by between 70–95% within the first few years. The large mass of deceased carp will require a large-scale clean-up and present a unique opportunity to be utilised for fish products. Although carp are currently harvested for use in fertiliser, this project aims to identify, pilot and undertake subsequent cost benefit analysis for developing new processes/products from deceased feral carp.