Koi Herpes Virus and carp. A biological control?

[Editor]

Fisheries Victoria recently invited recreational fishers to a meeting with the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IACRC) and CSIRO to discuss the status of Koi Herpes Virus (KHV) research in Australia. Representatives from IACRC provided a summary of the research being done to determine the potential of this virus as a control for carp in Victoria.

The Fish Diseases Laboratory at the high-security CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory is examining KHV as a biological control agent by undertaking a rigorous assessment of KHV in the laboratory to make sure it does not impact Australian native species or trout.

The project is also assessing the susceptibility of Australian carp of different ages/sizes to KHV.

Modelling is required to predict how effective KHV would be in our carp population. Scientists are looking at how it would spread throughout different river systems. These preliminary studies are confined to the laboratory.

To date, a number of key research milestones have been achieved, including; methods for isolation and growth of KHV in cell culture, methods for detection and identification of KHV and demonstration that the KHV Indonesian strain is the most effective at controlling carp numbers.

The timeline for the potential release of the virus in Victoria is approximately 5 years from now subject to meeting all requirements set by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Association (APVMA) and other state and federal agencies.

Fisheries Victoria will continue to work with the IACRC to control noxious carp in Victorian waterways. For more information please visit  http://www.feral.org.au