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Anglers clean up waterways

Two hundred and sixty six anglers pulled 149 carp from the Goondiwindi waterways on the weekend and that can only spell good news for the health of the system.

The annual Carp Cull drew anglers from all ports and the local fishing club were delighted with the response to the project.

There were 156 adults and 86 junior fishermen and six teams who spent a couple of busy days fishing and camping.

“The event brought a lot of people to town which is also a plus for the local economy,” Goondiwindi Fishing Club President John Billsborough said.

The largest carp weighed in at 5.29kg and was caught in the Rainbow Reserve by a visiting angler.

Mark Jones won the prize of an electric motor for the most carp caught in the senior event and Jordon Billsborough won a canoe for most caught in the junior category.

Jamie Heironymus won the registration draw of an Engle Fridge.

The day which is run in conjunction with the natural resource management group, the Queensland Murray- Darling Committee (QMDC) is one of the biggest community awareness programs of European Carp, alerting people to the damage they cause to the river and creek systems in the Murray- Darling Basin.

Surat, Thallon, Mungindi, St George and Dirranbandi will all host linked Carp Buster fishing competitions throughout 2008, with local event prizes, and a grand cash prize of $2000 for those who attend the most competitions and catch and destroy the most carp over all six competitions.

The project aims to educate on the impacts of carp, provide information on the best way to stop the spread, and to remove some carp from the river.

Gundy Carp Cull a Huge Success

More than 250 people registered for the Goondiwindi Carp Cull over the Anzac Day long weekend, hauling in a total of 149 European carp. The heaviest carp weighed a massive 5.29 kilograms.

Competitors were able to register from Friday afternoon with final weigh-ins taking place on Sunday. Competitors went into the draw for a number of prizes, with Goondiwindi local, Michael Heironymus, winning the major prize of an Engle Fridge, valued at $1200.

John Billsborough, from the Goondiwindi Fishing Clubs, said he was impressed by the numbers of people that participated. “We had 266 registrations, which was an increase on last year, “he said. “It shows that people within the community are becoming more aware of carp in our river systems, and the need to do something about it.”

The Carp Cull weekend was supported by the Queensland Murray- Darling Committee (QMDC), the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QDPI&F), the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), the Goondiwindi Bowls Club, David Ford Auto Electrical and Air Conditioning, The Queensland Hotel, Gundy Sports Centre, Mitre 10 Goondiwindi, Mackenzie’s Home Timber and Hardware Goondiwindi, Beaurepaires and Lisa’s Screen Art. Other sponsors included the Goondiwindi Co-op, Campbell’s Fuel, Bulmers Earthmoving and Batesy’s Bakery.

Representatives from QMDC, the Invasive Animals CRC, and the DPI&F Fish Care volunteers were at the event, talking to participants about European Carp,

How they can manage the spread of the pest, and how they can more responsibly enjoy fishing and promote river health.

QMDC representative, Megan Purvis, was happy with the weekend’s proceedings. “These events have been a good way to get the community involved in the management of one of the worst pest fish species in the Murray- Darling Basin,” she said.

The Goondiwindi Carp Cull was the third of six Carp Busters events supported by QMDC across the Queensland Murray Darling Basin this year. The next Carp eradication weekend is to be held in Mungindi on the 17^th and 18^th of May.

2008 Goondiwindi Carp Cull

The annual Goondiwindi Carp Cull is on again. This year, the Carp Cull is to be held over the Anzac day long weekend. Registrations will open at 5pm on the 25th of April at the Goondiwindi Bowls fishing club.

This day aims to educate on the impacts of carp, provide information on the best way to stop the spread, and to remove some carp from the river. There will be great prizes up for grabs for adults, juniors, teams and tagged carp.

So come along, catch some fish, and have a great fun filled weekend on the banks of the Macintyre.

To find out more information on this event, contact John Billsborough on 0428 714 117.

The Queensland Murray Darling Comittee's Carp Buster Series

Six fishing clubs have joined forces with natural resource management group, the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC), to coordinate one of the biggest community awareness programs of European Carp and the damage they cause to our river and creek systems in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Surat, Thallon, Goondiwindi, Mungindi, St. George and Dirranbandi will all host linked Carp Busters fishing competitions over 2008, with local event prizes, and a grand cash prize of $2000 those who attend the most competitions and catch and destroy the most carp over all six competitions. The invasive animals CRC has kindly donated a cash prize draw of $200.00 which will be randomly drawn at the series final from entrants who have entered 5 of the 6 competitions.

Sponsors, QMDC, said that the day was a fun way for local communities to do something about one of the most serious fish pests in the Murray-Darling Basin.

“These events not only allow us to raise the awareness of the introduced fish carp, but to highlight a host of other issues surrounding the degradation of our river and creek systems and reasons for native fish declines.,” said QMDC’s Lavinnia Fiedler

“It is not known what effect carp really have on our native fish populations, as numbers were in decline long before carp were introduced into our water ways. By raising awareness of these issues it is hoped to encourage a coordinated, integrated approach to total River restoration which will encourage the establishment of native fish species.,” she said.

For more information about individual competitions, contact the following:

Surat- 26-27 January – phone Greg Richardson on 07 4626 5298
Thallon- 15-16 March- phone Liz Spackman on 07 4625 9105
Goondiwindi- 26-27 April- phone John Billsborough on 0428 714 117
Mungindi- 17-18 May- phone Red Trindall on 02 6753 2389
St. George- 20-21 September- phone Kerry King on 07 4625 3636
Dirranbandi- 18-19 October- phone Jack Taylor on 0428 989 728

For more information on the Carp Buster series, contact Lavinnia Fiedler on 0428 797 995, or visit the Queensland Murray Darling Committee website (www.qmdc.org.au).