Could Murray cod help control invasive carp in the Riverland?
THE question comes after more than two tonnes of Murray cod were released into Lake Bonney, near Barmera, as part of efforts to rebuild native fish populations and create new recreational fishing opportunities in the Riverland.
THE question comes after more than two tonnes of Murray cod were released into Lake Bonney, near Barmera, as part of efforts to rebuild native fish populations and create new recreational fishing opportunities in the Riverland.
Google Trends data shows South Australia recorded the highest relative search interest in the term “carp australia” over the past 12 months, ahead of Victoria and New South Wales.
Source: Google Trends
LINK: See Interest over time on Google Trends for carp australia - Australia, Past 12 months - https://trends.google.com/trends/explore/TIMESERIES/1792704000?hl=en-US&tz=300&geo=AU&q=carp+australia&sni=3
Invasive European carp remain a challenge for native fish populations and aquatic ecosystems across the River Murray system, raising questions about the role native predators such as Murray cod could play in managing their numbers.
South Australia recorded the highest relative search interest for “carp australia”, with Google Trends data showing varying levels of interest across other Australian states and territories.
Source: Google Trends
LINK: See Interest by subregion on Google Trends for carp australia - Australia, Past 12 months - https://trends.google.com/trends/explore/GEO_MAP/1792705800?hl=en-US&tz=300&geo=AU&q=carp+australia&sni=3
RecFish SA CEO Asher Dezsery said the “reintroduction of large Murray cod to Lake Bonney is an exciting step towards rebuilding populations devastated by drought”.
“RecFish SA will work alongside the Barmera community to build local stewardship of these fish, support their establishment, care and develop further opportunities for habitat improvement and community involvement within the project,” Mr Dezsery said.
“Bringing Murray cod back to Lake Bonney connects healthier waterways with great fishing, stronger tourism and local pride - creating something the community can help nurture and benefit from for years to come.”
RecFish SA CEO Asher Dezsery previously told the ABC that Murray cod could help control invasive European carp populations by feeding on juvenile fish, following a separate stocking project at Valley Lake in Mount Gambier.
Berri Barmera Mayor Ella Winnall said “Getting out on the water is an intrinsic part of the Riverland lifestyle, and It’s fantastic to see the State Government investing in freshwater fishing, as well as the health and future of Lake Bonney.”
“It shows the State wants to support a thriving Lake Bonney and river system that can provide environmental, economic, cultural and lifestyle outcomes for generations to come.”
However, it remains unclear whether Murray cod eating juvenile carp, and releasing them into Lake Bonney will reduce the lake’s carp population.
It is important to know that Google Trends shows relative search interest, not raw search numbers. This means a score, ranking or trend line should not be treated as the number of people searching. It is a way to compare interest over time, between topics or across locations.
This article was produced as part of a Google Trends licensing initiative. It uses Google Trends data to explore search interest in “carp Australia” in Australia.
Google Trends data is aggregated and anonymous. Search interest is measured on a relative scale and does not represent total search volume.
This content is part of a paid partnership with Google to promote Google Trends.
