Information day to demonstrate carp trap

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Information day to demonstrate carp trap
21 Nov 2012 - NSW Fisheries

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is inviting the public to attend a carp separation cage demonstration near Warren on 26 November.

The demonstration will take place at an information session to be held at Gunningbar Creek Regulator, five kilometres South of Warren on Ellengerah Road, on the afternoon of 26 November from 1-5 pm.

DPI Dubbo based Conservation Officer, Rodney Price, said a recently completed carp separation cage at the site and will be set up so that staff from DPI Fisheries can demonstrate to the public exactly how the cages work.

"The recently completed cage is one of two automated carp traps that will be installed into waterways at sites within the world renowned Macquarie Marshes, once flow conditions are suitable," Mr Price said.

"DPI Fisheries, Central West Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and State Water Corporation will be on site to answer questions about the management of carp in the Macquarie Marshes.

"Visitors to the site will be able to find out exactly how effective a carp cage is and what else needs to be done in combination with installing carp cages to reduce the impact these pest fish are having on native fish populations."

A carp separation cage is a specially designed trap usually installed on infrastructure such as a fishway.

It takes advantage of the jumping behaviour of migrating carp by drafting them into a holding cage for later removal, while allowing native fish to continue swimming upstream.

The installation of carp separation cages in the Macquarie Marshes to intercept carp along their migration pathways was one of the key recommendations in the Carp Strategy for the Macquarie Marshes, which was developed for the Central West CMA by DPI in 2010.

For more information on the day contact Rodney Price on 6881 1216 or Rodney.Price@dpi.nsw.gov.au