The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) was a detailed research program on the potential use of a virus as a biological control for carp in 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 workgroups.
The department has commissioned additional research into the potential use of the virus under the Carp Biological Control Program.
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 the number of carp by approximately 40–60%.
- Integrated carp reduction and management methods may help to further reduce the impact of carp.
- Releasing the virus would most likely suppress the carp population by causing an initial outbreak of the virus, followed by sporadic seasonal outbreaks.
The NCCP report confirmed that the carp virus has credible potential as a biocontrol 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 ongoing effect of the virus in natural settings and,
- cost and benefits analysis of using the carp virus to manage carp.
Downloads
The NCCP includes 19 research papers, 9 technical papers and 5 planning investigations. You can find these documents below or through links provided.
The National Carp Control Plan
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
The NCCP includes 19 research papers and five planning investigations, available for download from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation website.
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)
Please direct questions about the NCCP documents and technical papers to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
Find out more
- Read the Carp Biological Control Program.
- Get Carp Biological Control Program Updates here.
- Watch the 2025 webinar Update on the Carp Biological Control Program.
- Watch the 2024 webinar The next phase for carp biocontrol.
Contact
Email: carp@aff.gov.au.