Aussie scientists to use herpes virus to eliminate rampant pest fish species

One of Australia's greatest pest species, the European carp, could soon be brought under control by a unique strain of the herpes virus, after scientists declared it could kill up to 80 percent of the introduced fish while leaving other species unharmed.

After years of testing, researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) are certain the carp-specific virus will successfully begin to clear the nation's rivers of the species.

European carp were introduced into Australia's fresh waterways from Asia in the 19th century, and promptly began to kill and destroy native species and habitats.

There are currently an estimated billions of carp plaguing Australia's rivers and it is also thought the fish makes up 80 percent of all fish biomass in the critical Murray-Darling Basin.

But that could change as, according to Dr. Ken McColl from the CSIRO, the killer herpes virus could begin to eliminate the pest in record time. He told News Corp on Wednesday it was ironic that a virus could be "really good" for our river systems.

"Most herpes viruses are very species-specific, this one has caused massive mortalities in carp overseas and is absolutely safe around humans and all other species," McColl told News Corp.

He said the virus will be spread by carp touching each other, after it is released into waterways.

"We expect 70 to 80 percent mortality in the first instance, which is huge when we are talking that number of fish, and then we will have a one to four-year window to do other things like netting and genetic work to really keep the carp population under control," McColl said.

Fishermen and farmers are also keen to witness the demise of the species, with carp, considered poor eating, killing tasty native fish such as yellowbellys and Murray cod, while destroying and eroding the waterways and habitats of native fauna. Endit