Aussies Considering Release of KHV to Kill Carp

[koicluboftheair]

Though possibly considered emotive I support the application of science in AKCA's Project KHV where according to the program website we find the phrases:
"Help Fund Research to Eliminate KHV" &
"Prevention, Control and Eradication of Koi Herpesvirus"
http://www.akcaprojectkhv.org

I'd hope Project KHV and AKCA itself voice opposition to any nation, state, or municipality introducing the disease into the wild.

[mstrseed]

Orson Wells rendition of "War of the Worlds" when aired on the radio.................

[koicluboftheair]

Quote: Originally Posted by schildkoi Do ya'll know about the reference they used as "the river rabit" in Australia? Australia as a unique set of ecological factors and balance and non native species can quickly throw the ecological balance for a loop as was the case with the introduction of rabits way back when. With no natural predator, rabits quickly threw the ecological balance for a loop and native species were threatened. Australia has controls already in place for ornamental carp to help prevent this disaster which may already be in the making. We may love our Koi, but perhaps some environments don't? Steve

I'm not sure what you mean with the title, "On the other hand....." although I appreciate importances of recognizing many in the regulatory and scientific world consider carp of any stripe a nuisance species? Could this be colored as something we should support?

[mrbradleybradley]

Koi in Australian culture perhaps needs some additional back-story. Many know that koi are already well regulated in Australia. There are numerous conditions on ownership, transport and trade. And there is a government funded move to bring the several state based regulations into a national set of new regulations for all ornamental fish keeping. The new regulations are not yet in effect, and is still going through review after an initial round of public consultation.

Additional detail can be found at the following link
http://koi2day.com/forum/index.php?board=29.0

The greater risk to the koi hobby in Australia is not the possible release of KHV. The greatest risk is the perception and practice of the hobby. I cannot refute the facts that feral carp have a significant environmental impact on Oz waterways. Koi and carp are regarded as the same problem for some. The education of the Australian koi hobby and the Australian culture is focused on a demonstration that the koi keeper is not a feral carp keeper. An important strategy here relates to the koi keeper as an environmentally responsible keeper.

Therefore, the koi hobby supports feral carp control measures that are environmentally responsible. KHV as a biological control measure I hope is not considered responsible.

BB

[koicluboftheair]

Thank you for further clarification of your perspective on the ground in Australia. I agree with much of that.
What makes a responsible koi-keeper in Australia might be similar to how the term could be defined in the U.S. Likewise, there is likely similarities in how regulators in both of our countries look at invasive carp species and the koi-hobby. I don’t believe there is an established and popularly promoted set of best management practices for koi-keepers in the U.S. as relate to the issues that most concern government regulators. Is there in Australia? Thus, from my perspective on this side of the ditch it seems realistic to consider the potential that where KHV might be utilized as a viable option in Australia the perceived benefits of such could spread like the virus itself and be adopted by regulators in other countries including the U.S.
It is my contention that there needs to be established best management practices within the koi-keeping community to include issues that effect aquaculture more broadly such as wastewater management (not discharging unwanted spawn production and fry directly into storm drains that lead to waterways via water changes adding to the threat that koi be considered nuisance species, etc.), potable water consumption conservation, etc. Likewise, I believe the potentially effected parties in the hobby whether professional or amatuer need to consider and address such matters to protect their interests.

Regards,
John

[PapaBear]

I can sympathize with the Aussies all the way around on this problem, but I hope they think this all the way through as MrBradlyBradly has suggested he thinks they will.
The "river rabbit" analogy is and unfortunately accurate one. With Australias unique ecosystem wild carp of any kind have no real natural predators to speak of which does make them a real threat to native fish populations wherever they may find their way into the wild.
That being said, carp may be australias equivalent to swimming kudzu, but what would a pandemic virus become if KHV was used to control the population? Viruses are constantly in a state of mutation and as a result interspecies crossover infection is almost a certainty somewhere down the road. That could potentially be devestating to native species a few generations down the road.
The immune carriers (and there will be many as we've already learned through painful experience) will simply re-populate the waters with offspring carrying genetic markers from their immune parents. Once that happens the "river rabbit" will be bullet proof as native species are continually exposed to everchanging strains of the virus until eventually the unthinkable happens. A massive die-off of a species unique to the continent occurs. That sounds like an unacceptable risk to me...

[koicluboftheair]

The president of the North Florida Koi Club had responded to me that it was a shame that the fish could not be exported to other needy areas, which reminded me of the long standing conversation amongst some concerned with global hunger and the benefits of aquaculture. What if Australia processed the nuisance carp for fish protein? As some of Australia’s waterways harbor carp populations making up 85% of the fish biomass or more it would seem mass collection techniques could be utilized and the catch processed into fish meal for other industries or humanitarian distribution. International organizations might be willing, if encouraged to provide funding for such projects. Then the remaining nuisance species population could possibly be controlled by deploying gates, fences, etc as are being considered in the U.S. to control their spread.


Here is a bit of interesting discussion about the issue:
Can continued expansion of aquaculture increase the global fish catch enough to feed the world’s growing need for fish protein? Certainly, some growth in world aquaculture can be expected, but just how much is not clear. One analysis projects that, under favorable conditions, global production could nearly double by 2010 to 39 million metric tons. Several factors are pushing this growth in both intensive aquaculture and in small-scale, farm-based efforts. Global demand for fish is rising even as many ocean stocks are declining, and aquaculture techniques and technology continue to improve. In addition, small-scale aquaculture offers farmers a ready source of both subsistence food and cash, and these benefits are likely to promote expansion beyond its traditional stronghold in Asia [12]. However, there are also serious constraints on aquaculture’s future growth. For one, fish farming requires both land and water—two resources already in short supply in many areas.
http://www.mindfully.org/Food/WRI-Aquaculture-Boom.htm

[Jay (In Oz)]

Once that happens the "river rabbit" will be bullet proof as native species are continually exposed to everchanging strains of the virus until eventually the unthinkable happens. A massive die-off of a species unique to the continent occurs. That sounds like an unacceptable risk to me...[/quote]

Absolutely! And this is my fourth attempt to reply to this thread- very frustrating. I live in an area in which every stream contains large numbers of wild carp. They are here to stay. They have displaced the previous invasion of redfin perch, which themselves displaced the introduced trout. Both species were responsible for wiping out most smaller native species around here. Carp are harvested in huge quantities and converted to fertiliser- already a multi million dollar industry. And larger native fish such as Murray Cod now accept carp as a food source.
Whenever the government steps in to regulate something here, it is the hobbyist- particularly the financially disadvantaged- who suffer most. I'll never be able to afford show quality koi, but I get as much pleasure from my speckledy goi as the rich folks get from their champions. I believe keeping koi is about the most innocuous hobby around, and the government should leave us alone. I'll get off my soap box now before I get a nose bleed Jay (In Oz).

[koicluboftheair]

Jay,
Thanks for the view from on the ground there. As the carp are already being harvested as a commercial product I suppose if infected with KHV that industry would dry up due to contamination? Likewise, animal export businesses could be injured as Australia might find itself not meeting the Import Risk Analyses (IRAs) of other countries based on World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reporting of widespread KHV hotzones.

I wonder if the various committees and councils of the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry would take a position for or against such a proposal? Some of them include:
- The Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC)
-The Primary Industries Standing Committee (PISC)
-The Primary Industries Health Committee (PIHC)
-The Aquatic Animal Health Committee (AAHC)
-The National Aquatic Animal Health – Technical Working Group (NAAH-TWG)
-The Animal Health Committee (AHC)
-The Sub Committee on Animal Health Laboratory Standards (SCAHLS)
-Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC)
-Natural Resource Management Standing Committee (NRMSC)
-Aquaculture Committee
-Consultative Committee on Emergency Aquatic Animal Disease (Aquatic CCEAD)
http://www.affa.gov.au/index.cfm

I wonder if industries that might be impacted by a release of KHV have already mobilized? Any ideas who to contact?

Cheers!

[Jay (In Oz)]

G'day John. I have no idea what the position of the various departments is regarding this virus. I can look into for you but not for a few days- just about to leave for my farm where I don't have electricity or wireless access.
The C.S.I.R.O are held in high regard here, but there are many examples of "controls" not working according to plan and this one definitely has potential as a baddie. As a farmer I have spent thousands of hours trying to control noxious plants and animals which were introduced for the most part with good intentions. Insects cause devastation and are "controlled" with predators which target the wrong species. Plants take over vast areas and we are obliged to spray with expensive chemicals which are subsequently banned because of horrific side effects. I hope the government will think this through carefully. KHV could devastate native fish stocks. The government could possibly develop a treatment for use by hobbyists and those in the aquaculture industry- which would no doubt be a financial burden for those least able to afford it. They could avoid the subsequent outcry by instead putting forward a convincing argument against keeping carp as pets and therefore pushing for a ban- something which has actually been considered recently. For now I intend to put my head back in the sand and hope it will all just go away Take care. Jay (In Oz).