Hi mate, what a great video. I work for an NGO called OzFish that is currently running a project in the Vasse River in Busselton to remove carp using traps, there's no shortage of them that's for sure. You do a great job pointing out the angling dichotomy surrounding ferals in WA. Like you I'm no fan of carp fishing, grotty bloody things. Conversely I love fishing for trout and even reddies, none the less i can't see any reason to maintain their presence in the extremely fragile ecosystems of our rivers the south west.
Thanks for watching, and for the kind words! I've heard of Ozfish and yes, the carp are definitely there - I'd be interested to hear more about the trapping process! As for feral fishing in WA, the dichotomy (as you so aptly put it) is real, and present on many levels, from Feral fishing itself to the introduced species to WA. I do love a trout and redfin fish as well (although time doesn't permit me to get down to the South West that often), but in my humble opinion, you can't beat a session on the Swan, and I'd like for my kids to say the same thing when they're grown! Thanks again mate.
Whilst carp aren't good. Humans are damaging the waterways 100x more. Carp probably do 1% of the damage, but it's an easy scapegoat. And let's be honest, until we stop a certain religion releasing 1000s of non native fish as part of their beliefs.
Whilst carp aren't good. Humans are damaging the waterways 100x more. Carp probably do 1% of the damage, but it's an easy scapegoat. And let's be honest, until we stop a certain religion releasing 1000s of non native fish as part of their beliefs and the upcoming Tilapia invasion will make carp look good
Thanks for the very informative video mate, really never thought that I still have something to add to my bucket list of speceis to catch. Well done Paz.🎉🎉🎉
A long time ago I went to a AA fishing comp in SA in the backwaters of the Murray. Thousands of fish were caught. Some guys had 6x4 trailers full of carp. There was a freezer van there and it took the whole lot down to Mount Gambier to be used for cray bait. It was fun and a useful ending.
👋 we were working in the Harrisdale replacing a deck on one ov the parks walkways last year and noticed a lot ov huge gold Fish in the lake we at, anyway on day we were talking to an old fella there and we said about the gold fish and there was a lot AND he told us that when an Asian family moves it the suburb it is traditional to release a gold fish for good luck for the family 🤷♂️ hence the problem ov goldfish Funken every were !!!
I saw a guy with his young daughter across the pond from me with a bucket, turned out he was releasing their pet Koi 🤦🏼♂️ fortunately a couple of weeks later I saw a dead koi in the reeds, hopefully that was the one 🤞
Yeah, agreed - not ideal releasing pet Koi into a pond - never know how far they can travel! Quite a few ponds near me are connected by drains, pipes etc.
As someone from the uk found this really interesting just hearing your views and how it is for you in your country. For us they are loved by many and carp fishing is a big thing altho also not native for us
Thanks for watching mate! There are actually quite a few carp anglers in Perth (Western Australia). Carp aren't as widely distributed as the eastern states, and as some other commenters have said it's an issue that isn't really talked about - feral fishing in Perth can have its risks! Interesting how different countries can have different perspectives! How prevalent are carp over there compared to native species?
In many ways that’s a tough question to ask. In the uk there is always issues with water quality water companies dumping waste etc and an ever declining canal system. I don’t think the carp have a big effect on native species. They are very much loved by many here tho
Adam, the Waterways in the UK tend to have a rockier consistency, whereas in Australia, they tend to be clay. I know this is a generalisation, but the main issue is the feeding pattern of the carp stirs up the clay muddying the whole body of water. This, along with competition with native fish leads to the problem. I'm originally from Victoria growing up on the Murray River and saw first hand the devastating effects of carp.
Thanks for watching! When I targeted carp, I mostly fished the Upper Canning River up past Kent St Weir - past the Nicholson Road bridge and upstream. Because I didn't go after them regularly, didn't really have a specific spot, although several smaller creeks and offshoots in that area probably hold some. There are a couple of FB groups which probably have better info on actually targeting them than I could provide. However, any pond or water body might have them - worth taking a look! Also, watch out for the ranger in some places. I got no problem with people targeting them, but like I said, Feral fishing in Perth has its problems!
Good video. There are quite a few carp in Merv Park lake in Osborne Park where I go and walk in the afternoon, and the nearby connected lakes. I often see people fishing for them and have seen some big fish caught. Personally I would prefer if they were removed from those lakes altogether. Water quality seems terrible and I can't help thinking carp are part of the reason why.
Yeah there a quite a few in ponds/lakes around that neck of the woods. They do have at least a partial effect on water quality, and some grow massive. Of course, it's an issue that's ongoing in many areas, and anglers can't catch them all, although it isn't through lack of trying! Thanks for watching!
well said Paz you are right there needs to be a broader look at removing these fish as per the Red-fin perch down south. but have they destroyed the native habitat to far that no native fish can survive these waters now days? if they are above the Kent street weir then surely they must have gone below the weir? so now they destroy what we all enjoy fishing in? maybe that is why some species are not as prevalent as they use to in the upper reaches? either which way good point bringing the issue to the greater many . keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching mate! There are still native fish in the upper canning - a few species like freshwater cobbler, hardyheads etc. Carp are one of a few feral species in there as well. Hasn't reached the point where they've pushed out everything else. I don't think they head too far downriver due to the salinity (carp can tolerate salt water to a degree, but the middle/lower Swan is pretty salty). However, the carp are present in the upper Canning (freshwater) in numbers for sure. They are having an impact. I live around the area and I see them fairly regularly on my travels, even if I don't fish the Upper Canning that often. Thought it would be an interesting discussion topic for sure, especially with the practice of fishing for them. Thanks again mate!
Trying to "remove" Redfin perch is one of the dumbest things people do, why remove Redfin when they stock Trout every year in the thousands?.. A better way to go about it would be to establish rivers of high importance (threatened native populations etc) in the south west and try to eradicate redfin from them whilst also banning fishing in said rivers, and by only stocking trout in dams and rivers deemed to be of low importance to natives. But no, they stock tens of thousands of trout every spring in every river they can that isn't owned by the WC🤦🏽♂️😂.. Don't kill Redfin in rivers they pose absolutely no risk to, they're a cool fish that quite frankly are far more enjoyable to catch and cook than the pellet fed clip fin abominations they call trout, fix the rivers that need to be fixed and protect them, stock trout alongside wild redfin in rivers and dams of low risk, simple🤷🏽♂️.
@@cozab5487 It is ironic that both Redfin and Trout are introduced species, and yet the perceptions are clearly different (trout were introduced roughly the same time as carp!).
@@dfjmadventures It's super ironic 😂, everyone loves trout and gives them the pass, when they're probably the second most destructive fish in the south west 😂, it's funny how people pick and choose to their liking, lol.
Councils and shires have no jurisdiction on fishing, they constantly make their own illegal fishing rules. Remind them whether it is a ranger,security or council worker that they have no jurisdiction over Western Australian fisheries department. These fisheries officers will gladly represent you against illegal fines . Many no fishing signs are placed along the coast metro and beyond. Check with fisheries only before fishing. If they say all good ignore everyone else.
Back on the east coast my father and I used to go chasing carp in Windsor River in Western Sydney. We used to make fish soup with them. We would regularly catch them in the low 70cm range......they fight like hell.
Fantastic sport fish,fight like fcuk,,use to see them on Luton market as a kid,muddy taste I heard. Redfin (Perch)every cast at Tingrith, lake,never considered eating 1,many here in Perth prefer them to Trout! Maybe consider that the small ones caught could become a good feed 1 day lol. Who fished for all these once abundant native fish before the Redfin and Carp wiped them all out?
Can't deny they're fun to reel in. They do taste a bit muddy due to the feeding habits - heard of people soaking fillets in milk or saltwater, but never tried that myself! Don't mind a feed of Redfin though. Thanks for watching!
Thanks Paz, super informative. Not sure if I'm misunderstanding, but wouldn't this mean that anglers catching and dispatching of carp Perth would be a good thing? Or have I missed something?
Thanks mate! In my opinion, anglers catching and dispatching carp would certainly be a good thing (despite my own decision not to target them). At the moment, however, it does come with risks! Given the fact that a lot of carp locations are in council or private areas, it's not uncommon for anglers to have rangers called on them etc. - even if they're legally fishing (I've even had them called on me when fishing parts of the river!). Local councils/parks/private places have their own agendas, which sometimes come into conflict with those of fishing bodies etc. If everyone's on the same page and educated about feral fish, then I see no reason why anglers can't target them. It's a thorny issue, that's for sure, with lots of room for discussion. Thanks for watching and apologies for the wall of text!
To my knowledge it's illegal to return carp to waterways in NSW.. Carp should be dispatched as humanely as possible and disposed of.....They make a very poor sport fish... I believe they make excellent compost or feed the pelicans if there's any about...CARP is CRAP...in NSW...😊...
Hey mate! Yes, they are a problem and it is recommended to humanely dispatch and dispose of carp. Here in Perth, I don't think it is illegal to return them to the water source they came from, but I believe it is illegal for the general public to transport them alive and introduce them to new water sources. However, it is strongly recommended they be dispatched when caught. I do know a lot of anglers who use them as fertiliser/compost. Carp is crap! Thanks for watching 👍🐟
It is not currently illegal to immediately return captured carp to the waters from which they were taken (defence under section 216 of the Fisheries Management Act). However, NSW DPI encourages recreational fishers to retain and utilise any captured carp rather than returning them live to the water.
