The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) was established to explore the possible release of the carp virus, Cyprinid herpesvirus 3. The NCCP is a $15 million program under the Fisheries Research and development Corporation (FRDC), delivered on behalf of the Australian Government. The objectives of the NCCP include using the best available science to develop a smart, safe, effective and integrated approach to controlling carp impacts, by working together and incorporating feedback from the Australian community.

One of the potential tools for controlling carp impacts is a biocontrol agent (ie, Cyprinid herpesvirus 3). If approved for use as a biocontrol for carp in Australia’s waterways, detailed information will be required to plan the release of the virus, and to mitigate any adverse impacts.

More specifically, detailed population data will be required (initially in 2018, and for several years) to inform a strategic release plan for the carp biocontrol, and to identify possible consequences of the release.

This project will address these needs by developing and delivering web mapping technology for community users across the Murray-Darling Basin (utilizing established NCCP & FRDC networks, community groups, and stakeholder organisations).

This project will involve 3 stages

Stage 1 - Develop and deploy a national carp questionnaire survey via a carp community portal to gather information from the community about historical carp aggregations.

Stage 2 - Develop a Carp Map website and mapping tool (desktop and mobile website) for people to record carp aggregations once the Questionnaire survey is no longer required.

Stage 3 - Develop an operational tool (phone App) for community members to report observations of carp control outcomes from the field (Funded separately in 2019/20 - and contingent on carp biocontrol approvals).

This will centralize historical and current carp population and behavior data together for researchers and operational agencies.