Carp clean-up reaps fishing boon

The long battle against European carp is paying off as Tasmania’s favourite fishing lakes are reopened, writes Guy Barnett

AFTER a quarter of a century, Tasmania is on the cusp of finally being free of European carp. Thanks to more than 25 years of carp eradication work by Tasmania’s Inland Fisheries Service, the director of the service has temporarily reopened Lake Sorell. Over this time, the Inland Fisheries Service has built skills, knowledge and techniques to remove the carp while protecting the natural values of the lakes. The lakes impacted by carp are large, with Lake Crescent 23 square kilometres and Lake Sorell more than 53 square kilometres. They have wetlands of both national and international significance and are home to birdlife and wildlife like the endemic golden galaxias. Before being closed to the public to ensure carp containment, the lakes were very popular for public recreation. Lake Sorell was one of Tasmania’s most popular trout lakes before closing 25 years ago, attracting more than 10,000 anglers annually. A lone female carp caught in Lake Crescent, in 2007, proved to be the last from this lake and it was declared carp-free in 2009. There were 7797 carp removed from Lake Crescent over 12 years. Continued checks show this lake remains carp-free. In 2009, estimates indicated that there were fewer than 50 carp remaining in Lake Sorell but unfortunately they spawned during the ideal conditions provided by the warm wet spring that year. To date 41,495 have been removed from Lake Sorell. Many lessons have been learned from the successful Lake Crescent eradication and the unfortunate spawning in Lake Sorell. The Inland Fisheries Service developed a progressive and integrated multi-pronged program that systematically targets weaknesses in carp biology to prevent spawning while fishing them out of the lakes. The innovative program has since been recognised both nationally and internationally. Estimates leading into spring last year indicated there were fewer than 20 carp remaining in Lake Sorell. Four have been caught and there appear to be only a few left. Recent juvenile carp surveys in Lake Sorell indicate there has been no carp recruitment again this year and the State Government has been working towards reopening Lake Sorell to the public. Public access will be via Dago Point where a new toilet has been built. Both campgrounds and boat ramps are available to access from this location. Anglers should be aware that the trout population has been impacted by the intense carp fishing, but they are expected to rebuild naturally over the coming years. This is the same as has occurred in Lake Crescent, where anglers are now catching trophy trout. Anglers should also be mindful that the lakes are naturally shallow and the water quality is affected by wind and water level. With lots of rocky reefs and shallows, caution is urged while boating. Water quality in Lake Sorell is similar to Lake Crescent and is slowly improving. After 25 years of closure, this is a great opportunity for anglers to reunite themselves with the lake as it rebuilds and for the younger generation to experience it for the first time. I also thank the Tasmanian community for their understanding and support of this globally significant eradication program, including lake closures, during this time. This government is delivering on our long-term plan to manage our inland fishery and encourage more people to discover the joy of fishing in Tasmania’s worldclass inland fisheries. Our plan is working to the benefit of regions across our beautiful state.