Massive die-off clears about 40 tonnes of carp from Colac creek
About 40 tonnes of invasive carp died in Barongarook Creek from low oxygen while breeding.
Council crews in Colac, south-west Victoria, removed about 40 tonnes of dead carp from a creek. The mass fish kill was the largest in the region since 2009.
The carp swam into Barongarook Creek from Lake Colac during breeding season. Water oxygen levels dropped too low.
This killed huge numbers of them. Low water flow made the problem worse.
A truck sucked up thousands of carcasses with a vacuum. This reduced the smell that bothered nearby residents.
The fish kill shows the ongoing problem with invasive carp. Carp were brought to the area in the 1960s.
They have taken over the lake. Authorities are exploring long-term solutions.
These include screens to block breeding access. They also include a carp virus being tested by CSIRO.
- About 40 tonnes
- Carp removed
- Barongarook Creek, Colac
- Location
- Since 2009
- Largest kill
- 1960s
- Carp introduced
Why it mattersThe die-off shows how invasive species harm local waterways and create environmental problems. Managing them requires expensive, long-term effort.
AustraliaVictoria faces persistent water quality issues from invasive carp; managing the species costs money and expertise, with solutions potentially taking decades.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
