Manilla's 'carp Muster' Raises Awareness Of Issues Facing Native Fish

[Dreamtime]

Anglers will get an opportunity to learn more about the environmental problems caused by carp, plus win some great prizes by catching this pest species in the Namoi and Manilla Rivers at Manilla’s first ‘Carp Muster’ to be held on November 22-23.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Conservation Manager, Milly Hobson said the muster was a fantastic opportunity for the community to learn about the impact of carp and how planting trees, removing willows and re-snagging the water would benefit native fish.

"The weekend will be filled with activities including tree planting, ‘Water Watch’ activities and of course the Carp Muster," she said.

"We held our first Carp Muster in Narrabri last March to showcase other on-ground works being done as part of the Narrabri to Boggabri Demonstration Reach, which is a joint initiative between Namoi Catchment Management Authority and NSW DPI.

"More than 300 people entered the Narrabri Carp Muster, and it would be fantastic to see a similar turn out at Manilla."

Ms Hobson said thousands of dollars worth of prizes would be on offer at the Manilla Carp Muster for category winners, including the biggest carp caught, and mystery prizes in both senior and junior prize categories.

While carp have been blamed for a range of river degradation issues, Ms Hobson said it was more likely the combined effects of catchment-wide influences including uncontrolled stock access, lack of riparian vegetation and de-snagging that were contributing to the poor health of our waterways.

Ms Hobson said the Carp Muster was an important part of the ‘Namoi Aquatic Habitat Initiative’.

The Namoi Carp Muster is open to all people - expert anglers and beginners alike. Only legal fishing methods can be used and the more carp anglers catch the better their chances are of taking home a prize.

Registration for the Namoi Carp Muster will be at the Manilla Showground on the weekend of the 22-23 November from 7am - 5pm on Saturday and 7am - 12pm on Sunday.

"So get out on the water and catch a carp, get your hands dirty planting a tree and learn what makes our native fish happy," Ms Hobson said.

For more information about the competition call Milly Hobson on (02) 6763 1206 or Anne Furguson, Namoi CMA, on (02) 6742 9202 .

Further reading

Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Media contact: Sarah Chester on (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669