Herpes to control carp?
 

Apparently Australia is going thru a "Carp-ageddon" with carp pops out of control. Their idea is to introduce a herpes strain specific to carp to eradicate them over a period of years. Sounds good to me. Lets try that on the passaic!

I just wonder what the affects of millions of carp dying will have on a ecosystem. Could get kind of smelly...

http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/1/115...-herpes-budget

Re: Herpes to control carp?
 

I think the Passaic River Carp are likely a primary prey species for those big Pike. That's what the Pike were put in there for in the first place. Maybe Australia should try Pike.

Re: Herpes to control carp?
 

If male Carp are anything like male Humans, a little herpes ain't gonna stop nothin' lol.

Re: Herpes to control carp?
 

too many scenarios to get into, but nature always finds a way in the end. they should just fish for them more, it is what it is. same with the flatheads here in nj. send delewareriver over there, he'll have a blast enjoying the fishery.

Maybe they can find a way to knock the human population down a few million, that's out of control too hahaha

Re: Herpes to control carp?
 

I would say pike target carp very little. More likely yellow & white perch followed by suckers.

All I know is rivers like the Millstone, Passaic and parts of the Raritan have almost permanent muddy stains to them mostly due to carp noseying around the bottom. Get rid of them and good fisheries would be great ones.

Re: Herpes to control carp?
 

Gonna be a lot of bucket brigaders with their down under lookin like a sore raspberry if this stuff transmits.... Win/Win in my book.

Re: Herpes to control carp?
 

now I have to practice safe carping!!! what next

Re: Herpes to control carp?
 

You really don't think the pike are feasting on the juvenile carp every season? I had a pike barfing up fish eggs, probably carp eggs a few times. Carp eat plenty of other stuff you don't want in the water either.

Re: Herpes to control carp?
 

Much of what I have read about Pike states that their preferred prey are soft finned fishes. That is why I was told they were put in the river. That is to control the Carp population. As it stands I wonder how big a Carp has to get to be safe from those really big Pike.

Re: Herpes to control carp?
 

I don't see how that's a good thing if they are constantly stirring up the bottom which is where most of the rivers contaminants reside(PCB's/Metals/Pesticides et al). What little plant control they provide is far outweighed by the damage they do to native fish redds and the overall health of a river(high turbidity affects numerous species of fish in negative ways from breathing to eating). I talked to a bass the other day and he was like "damn, them mfing carp are always stirring up trouble" :D