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Killer Virus


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#1 anchar

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Posted 14 September 2006 - 10:00 PM

Found this article....

Scientists ponder releasing virus to kill carp



Australian scientists have a new strategy for dealing with carp that have invaded their waterways: a virus that, if unleashed, could kill the fish.



While carp, also called koi, are considered a valuable resource in many Asian countries, in Australia the fish is generally viewed as a major pest, according to the new project's leader, Mark Crane of the Australian Animal Health Laboratory.



"Given their reproductive capacity and their hardiness, carp have been termed the ‘rabbit of the river,'" Crane said.



Carp were introduced into Australia in the early 1900s as a food and sporting fish. Extensive flooding in the 1970s allowed the fish to escape from farm dams and take over the waterways. The carp are particularly hard to get rid of because they can tolerate a wide range of water conditions and can also survive and breed in polluted, poorly oxygenated water.



"The fish grow to up to 20 kilograms [44 pounds] or more in weight and each female can lay up to three million eggs in a single season," Crane said. "In some areas of southeastern Australia carp make up more than 85 percent of the fish in the rivers and creeks."



The two-year project will investigate the effectiveness of using the Koi herpesvirus as a way to control strains of carp present in Australia and will examine whether the virus will have any impact on certain native fauna.



"The virus works by attacking the carp's gills as well as other vital organs and eventually killing its host," Crane said. "Koi herpesvirus is attractive as a biological control agent as overseas studies suggest that it has a very limited host range, infecting only carp."



This isn't the first time Australian scientists have thought of using a virus to control a pesky invasive species that threatens to push out native wildlife. In August, researchers at the Pest Animal Control Cooperative Research Center proposed using a highly infectious virus to sterilize female rabbits and keep rabbit populations under control.



For now, these proposals remain in the testing phases. "If the laboratory studies show promise, the next step will be extensive government, public and industry consultation to determine the best course of action to control carp, while protecting and restoring Australia's valuable waterways," Crane said.




Source or related URL: http://www.livescience.com


#2 diamondgirl

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Posted 14 September 2006 - 10:29 PM

I can certainly vouch for how hardy these fish are.

My son once dropped a cake of soap into our koi pond and we didn't lose one of them. laugh.gif

On another occassion he decided that he'd drop some of his dad's fishing oil (the stuff you use with burley) in as he was told that fish like it! They survived that also.

#3 johnnie7au

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 06:08 PM

Some of these are woth a heap of money! (I am told many thousands of dollars!) ...

Imagine how you would feel if the virus hit one of them.

#4 ChRiS_06

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 06:12 PM

That may be the case, But i think our rivers and native fish species our worth a lot more then thousands of dollars.

cheers chris

#5 Fox

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  • Location: Ellenbrook W.A

Posted 19 September 2006 - 07:08 AM

Why not add another "Virus" to our world?
Thats how people got "aids" and a series of other deadly dieases.
mmmm thanks to the govenment.




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