The Project

The Carpbusters project aimed to improve the riverine environment of the Logan and Albert River systems through reducing the numbers of European carp and restocking with native fingerlings.

The History of the Project

Carpbusting initially aimed to put Carp back on the recreational angler's agenda, raise money for restocking purposes and alert the wider community to the Carp problem in the Logan and Albert River System and beyond. 'The Carp Out Natives In' concept was started by a small group of concerned anglers in the Rathdowney Beaudesert area. Tired of watching carp flourish, they decided that the best way to achieve their aims was to hold a big community based carp fishing competition, catch as many carp as possible and use the money raised by the comp to purchase native fish fingerlings to be put into the river systems.

The first 'Carpubsters Annual Easter Carp Eradication Competition' was held in 1997 and it was a major success. Every Easter since then, approximately 1500 anglers have been involved in the competition. To date, the annual Easter Carp Eradication Competition has taken 10 tonne of carp out of the Logan and Albert River catchment and raised over $65,000 to purchase thousands of fingerlings for the native fish stocking program.

The Power of Community Support

Because of the high level of ground experience and community support, Carpbusters has placed the Logan and Albert River catchment on top of the list for the implementation of scientific Carp control. None of this would be possible without the wonderful support of sponsors, supporters and property owners who have committed to the Carpbusters concept of Carp Out Natives In. The Federal and State governments are working with Carpbusters to develop further strategies to control carp.

Recognition

The Rathdowney Hotel Social Fishing Club (now Carpbusters Inc) was the recipient of the 1999 Australia Day Award for community event of the year in Beaudesert Shire, are endorsed by Clean Up Australia as a Clean Up Fix Up Project and were the Queensland winners of the prestigious National Bank Community Link Awards in the category of Environment and Heritage.

For more information on this project, please contact Clean Up Australia on (02) 9552 6177