The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) was a detailed research program examining the potential use of a carp virus as a biological control agent to sustainably control carp across Australia.
This work began in 2016 and was led by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC). The final NCCP report was released in 2022.
Eleven research institutions and over 40 research scientists contributed to this work. The FRDC also consulted with policy and expert scientific groups.
The Carp Biological Control Program is now responsible for overseeing additional research into the potential use of the carp virus.
Findings of the National Carp Control Plan
The 2022 report delivered high-quality research and a strong understanding of the carp virus and its likely impacts.
- Laboratory studies show the carp virus could reduce carp numbers by approximately 40-60%.
- Integrating carp biological control with existing methods may help to further reduce carp impacts.
- Releasing the virus would most likely suppress carp numbers by causing an initial disease outbreak in targeted carp populations, followed by sporadic and localised seasonal outbreaks.
The NCCP report confirmed that the carp virus has credible potential as a biological control agent. It also identified several areas requiring further research, including:
- More testing to ensure other species are not susceptible to the carp virus.
- Further understanding of disease transmission and the ongoing effects of the virus in natural settings.
- Cost-benefit analysis of using the carp virus to manage carp.
Downloads
The NCCP includes a final report, research papers, technical papers, and planning investigations.
The National Carp Control Plan
Final report:
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
Technical papers
- Carp biocontrol background (PDF 948 KB)
- Epidemiology and release strategies (PDF 977 KB)
- Carp biocontrol and water quality (PDF 937 KB)
- Carp virus species specificity 2022 (PDF 802 KB)
- Potential socio-economic impacts of carp control 2022 (PDF 1.34 MB)
- NCCP implementation (PDF 1.92 MB)
- NCCP engagement report (PDF 1.20 MB)
- NCCP Murray and Murrumbidgee case study (PDF 8.39 MB)
- NCCP Lachlan case study (PDF 2.72 MB)
The 19 research papers and five planning investigations are available for download from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation website.
Please direct questions about the NCCP documents and technical papers to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
Find out more
- Carp Biological Control Program.
- Carp Biological Control Program Updates
- 2025 webinar: Update on the Carp Biological Control Program
- 2024 webinar: The next phase for carp biocontrol
Contact
Email: carp@aff.gov.au.