Graeme_Creed
03-09-2002, 04:32 PM
CYPRINUS
NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL CARP TASK FORCE
ON PEST FISH
An initiative of the Murray Darling Association Inc.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #Newsletter No 13
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #August 2002
SHARED MOBILE CARP PROCESSING FEASIBILITY STUDY
The Murray Darling Association has just completed a feasibility study on the concept of a mobile and shared carp-processing unit. While commercial carp fishing is an important management tool, commercial fishers and processors have had to travel further from their bases to find carp, while at the same time, prices paid to fishers have remained stable. #
The study identified capital and operational requirements for three methods of commercial carp processing - freezing, refrigerating and dehydrating. The only viable method, based on the assumptions used in the study, is the refrigerated method. #The fixed-site, frozen method, when operated to service both domestic and export markets, was the next best option. #All other methods, regardless of which configuration was examined, were assessed as unviable.
The study revealed that in the present economic climate, a shared, mobile carp processing facility was not feasible. There is not a strong sharing culture among fishers, while stringent health and environmental requirements would be especially challenging for a mobile facility. #At current carp prices, a mobile processing facility generated insufficient income to meet the costs of establishment and operation. #However, a more optimistic outlook may emerge for a mobile facility if the present limited extent of value-adding was expanded and there was an increase in consumer demand for fresh carp.
An unexpected outcome from the project was the collection and documentation of a great deal of useful and up-to-date information about carp fishing, processing and marketing. #The material is of value to current operators and people considering entering the carp business with the usual cautionary note of the need to fully account for local factors.
The principal fishing and processing issues were the financial viability of fishers, the need to and opportunities for, value-adding and the importance of government-industry partnerships. #The study identified possible changes required in the carp industry to enable it to realise its potential as a contributor to regional economies. #They include low returns per kilogram, and the need for fishers to establish better business practices. #
These issues, when singularly or collectively addressed, are viewed as having the potential to enhance commercial returns and raise the regional economic value of the carp industry. The study did not set out to provide a detailed analysis of these issues, however, findings from their further study will be important contributions to addressing the viability of carp fishing and processing.
A limited number of copies of the final report are available from the Murray Darling Association for $15.00 (incl GST). Please phone 02 6021 3655 for a copy.
..
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
During May, a community workshop at Barham in southern NSW, looked at carp and natural resource management and their impact on local waterways. Participants included representatives of the community, landholders, researchers, Local Government, the Aboriginal community, government agencies and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.
The workshop, initiated by the community, was an excellent example of a community working through carp and other issues to identify the best way to address what turned out to be a number of complex issues. The workshop was supported by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission
..
NATIVE FISH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
At its April 2002 meeting, the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council endorsed a draft Native Fish Management Strategy for the Murray-Darling Basin. The draft will be circulated widely across the Basin for comment over a six-month period. A series of meetings and workshops will help the community to understand the Strategy and make comment. #
The Strategy has the goal of rehabilitating native fish communities in the Murray-Darling Basin back to 60 percent of their estimated pre-European settlement levels after 50 years of implementation. It acknowledges the need to view fish management as one element of river restoration and integrated catchment management. It also recognises that long-term management, and studies, are necessary in order to understand the pulses of nutrient flow that typify the rivers and catchments of the Basin. #
Early stages of implementing the Strategy concentrate on providing adequate fish passages. A Fish Passage Reference Group (a combination of hydrology, hydraulics and biology expertise) will ensure that appropriate fish way designs are used at particular sites, with consistency across the Basin. #The Murray-Darling Basin Commission has allocated $10 million over the next five years to build fish ladders on all of its Murray River locks and weirs. With improvements at existing structures such as Yarrawonga and Torrumbarry, they will result in effective fish passage from Lake Hume to the sea. #
The Strategy will also include the construction of priority fish passage on barriers in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, automation of the barrages in South Australia, and the examination of structures in places such as Lake Victoria and the Chowilla anabranch.
For more information on the Strategy, contact the Murray-Darling Basin Commission on 02 6279 0100 or look at the following website: www.mdbc.gov.au
# # # # # # ..
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN NATIVE FISH MANAGEMENT
Implementing the Murray-Darling Basin Native Fish Management Strategy will rely heavily on community participation. To ensure this happens, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission has established a Community Stakeholder Group to coordinate information and education activities and provide a network and representation for community groups.
The Community Stakeholder Group includes representation from recreational and commercial fishing, tourism, Local Government, Indigenous, catchment management and environmental interests.
..
NEW CARP BROCHURE
A new brochure on carp was recently completed and is now available. Called Carp are a major problem, it was prepared by the Bureau of Resource Sciences, Murray Darling Association , National Carp Task Force and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. The brochure not only provides useful information on carp but also outlines how you can be an important part of the solution.
The brochure provides a number of useful contacts and web sites in Queensland, Victoria, NSW, South Australia and the ACT.
Copies of the brochure are available from the Murray Darling Association phone 02 6021 3655.
..
DAUGHTERLESS CARP
The Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council is to invest in new daughterless carp technology that has the capacity to reduce carp numbers dramatically but in the long-term (20-30 years). The Murray-Darling Basin Commission will work closely with CSIRO Marine Sciences to carefully evaluate the potential of this ground-breaking Australian technology and to plan for its implementation. ..
The Editor of Cyprinus can be contacted through PO Box 359 ALBURY, NSW, 2640.
Graeme Creed
Recfish Australia Delegate to the NCTF
(gcreed@ausfish.com.au)
NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL CARP TASK FORCE
ON PEST FISH
An initiative of the Murray Darling Association Inc.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #Newsletter No 13
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #August 2002
SHARED MOBILE CARP PROCESSING FEASIBILITY STUDY
The Murray Darling Association has just completed a feasibility study on the concept of a mobile and shared carp-processing unit. While commercial carp fishing is an important management tool, commercial fishers and processors have had to travel further from their bases to find carp, while at the same time, prices paid to fishers have remained stable. #
The study identified capital and operational requirements for three methods of commercial carp processing - freezing, refrigerating and dehydrating. The only viable method, based on the assumptions used in the study, is the refrigerated method. #The fixed-site, frozen method, when operated to service both domestic and export markets, was the next best option. #All other methods, regardless of which configuration was examined, were assessed as unviable.
The study revealed that in the present economic climate, a shared, mobile carp processing facility was not feasible. There is not a strong sharing culture among fishers, while stringent health and environmental requirements would be especially challenging for a mobile facility. #At current carp prices, a mobile processing facility generated insufficient income to meet the costs of establishment and operation. #However, a more optimistic outlook may emerge for a mobile facility if the present limited extent of value-adding was expanded and there was an increase in consumer demand for fresh carp.
An unexpected outcome from the project was the collection and documentation of a great deal of useful and up-to-date information about carp fishing, processing and marketing. #The material is of value to current operators and people considering entering the carp business with the usual cautionary note of the need to fully account for local factors.
The principal fishing and processing issues were the financial viability of fishers, the need to and opportunities for, value-adding and the importance of government-industry partnerships. #The study identified possible changes required in the carp industry to enable it to realise its potential as a contributor to regional economies. #They include low returns per kilogram, and the need for fishers to establish better business practices. #
These issues, when singularly or collectively addressed, are viewed as having the potential to enhance commercial returns and raise the regional economic value of the carp industry. The study did not set out to provide a detailed analysis of these issues, however, findings from their further study will be important contributions to addressing the viability of carp fishing and processing.
A limited number of copies of the final report are available from the Murray Darling Association for $15.00 (incl GST). Please phone 02 6021 3655 for a copy.
..
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
During May, a community workshop at Barham in southern NSW, looked at carp and natural resource management and their impact on local waterways. Participants included representatives of the community, landholders, researchers, Local Government, the Aboriginal community, government agencies and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.
The workshop, initiated by the community, was an excellent example of a community working through carp and other issues to identify the best way to address what turned out to be a number of complex issues. The workshop was supported by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission
..
NATIVE FISH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
At its April 2002 meeting, the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council endorsed a draft Native Fish Management Strategy for the Murray-Darling Basin. The draft will be circulated widely across the Basin for comment over a six-month period. A series of meetings and workshops will help the community to understand the Strategy and make comment. #
The Strategy has the goal of rehabilitating native fish communities in the Murray-Darling Basin back to 60 percent of their estimated pre-European settlement levels after 50 years of implementation. It acknowledges the need to view fish management as one element of river restoration and integrated catchment management. It also recognises that long-term management, and studies, are necessary in order to understand the pulses of nutrient flow that typify the rivers and catchments of the Basin. #
Early stages of implementing the Strategy concentrate on providing adequate fish passages. A Fish Passage Reference Group (a combination of hydrology, hydraulics and biology expertise) will ensure that appropriate fish way designs are used at particular sites, with consistency across the Basin. #The Murray-Darling Basin Commission has allocated $10 million over the next five years to build fish ladders on all of its Murray River locks and weirs. With improvements at existing structures such as Yarrawonga and Torrumbarry, they will result in effective fish passage from Lake Hume to the sea. #
The Strategy will also include the construction of priority fish passage on barriers in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, automation of the barrages in South Australia, and the examination of structures in places such as Lake Victoria and the Chowilla anabranch.
For more information on the Strategy, contact the Murray-Darling Basin Commission on 02 6279 0100 or look at the following website: www.mdbc.gov.au
# # # # # # ..
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN NATIVE FISH MANAGEMENT
Implementing the Murray-Darling Basin Native Fish Management Strategy will rely heavily on community participation. To ensure this happens, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission has established a Community Stakeholder Group to coordinate information and education activities and provide a network and representation for community groups.
The Community Stakeholder Group includes representation from recreational and commercial fishing, tourism, Local Government, Indigenous, catchment management and environmental interests.
..
NEW CARP BROCHURE
A new brochure on carp was recently completed and is now available. Called Carp are a major problem, it was prepared by the Bureau of Resource Sciences, Murray Darling Association , National Carp Task Force and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. The brochure not only provides useful information on carp but also outlines how you can be an important part of the solution.
The brochure provides a number of useful contacts and web sites in Queensland, Victoria, NSW, South Australia and the ACT.
Copies of the brochure are available from the Murray Darling Association phone 02 6021 3655.
..
DAUGHTERLESS CARP
The Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council is to invest in new daughterless carp technology that has the capacity to reduce carp numbers dramatically but in the long-term (20-30 years). The Murray-Darling Basin Commission will work closely with CSIRO Marine Sciences to carefully evaluate the potential of this ground-breaking Australian technology and to plan for its implementation. ..
The Editor of Cyprinus can be contacted through PO Box 359 ALBURY, NSW, 2640.
Graeme Creed
Recfish Australia Delegate to the NCTF
(gcreed@ausfish.com.au)