NSW - Calling all carp for outback muster

by NSW Department of Primary Industries on 9 Nov 2010 NSW - Carp in the Barwon-Darling River will be under attack later this month, with the fourth annual ‘Outback Carp Muster’ at Brewarrina and Bourke, Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) Conservation Manager David Cordina said today.

I&I NSW, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and local fishing clubs are inviting fishing enthusiasts and the general community to participate in the ‘Muster’, to be held on November 13 and 14 in Brewarrina and then in Bourke on November 20 and 21.

'Carp are a major pest in the Murray-Darling Basin and are now widespread in the river system, with carp accounting for more than 70 per cent of all fish in the Murray-Darling Basin, including the Barwon-Darling River,' Mr Cordina said today.

'They are considered a major threat to the future of the Basin’s native fish stocks including Murray cod, golden perch, freshwater catfish and threatened species such as silver perch, purple-spotted gudgeon and the western population of the olive perchlet.'

The Outback Carp Muster will coincide with Native Fish Awareness Week, an initiative of the MDBA’s Native Fish Strategy.

'These carp musters will give the community an opportunity to learn about the need to manage carp populations in the Barwon-Darling River and other things that can be done to help control carp in our rivers,' Mr Cordina said.

'There will be fantastic prizes for the winners of categories including longest and heaviest carp caught, the most number of carp caught and lucky door prizes in both senior and junior prize categories.

'The Outback 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.'

The Brewarrina carp muster is being held in conjunction with the Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Lands Council at ‘the boat ramp’ on both Saturday and Sunday, November 13 and 14. A final weigh-in will commence at midday on Sunday with presentations to follow. A fishing clinic will also be held on Sunday morning for kids wanting to learn the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of recreational fishing.

The Bourke carp muster will commence at 9am Saturday November 20 at ‘The Northy’ with final weigh-in and presentations at 12pm on Sunday.

A BBQ and drinks will be available at both events for entrants and their guests.

Entrants must register before they start fishing. Brewarrina registrations can be made at the Brewarrina Bakery, Brewarrina RSL and Brewarrina Newsagency, while Bourke registrations can be made at Bourke Shire Council, the Tourist Information Centre and ‘The Northy’.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/