Conservationists believe harvesting the invasive fish tilapia and turning it into fertiliser could help save one of Queensland's most scientifically important ecosystems.
Invasive tilapia have inundated the Mary River system, home to endangered species and ancient fish.Researchers and traditional owners want to harvest the fish and turn it into fertiliser for native plants used in river revegetation.An innovative trial to turn a noxious fish into fertiliser could help ancient and endangered species flourish in one of Queensland's most diverse river systems.
Burnett Mary Regional Group led the study and chief executive Tom Espinoza said it delivered alarming results."In the past there hasn't been a really comprehensive stocktake of where our threatened species are, but just as important is where our threatened species aren't," Mr Espinoza said. The research used a new method called environmental DNA to collect data, combined with traditional sampling.
They cannot be kept, fed, given away, sold or released into the environment and should be destroyed and disposed of immediately if caught.Reece Pianta from the Invasive Species Council said tilapia's success as an invasive fish meant eradication was not possible, and the species could now be found in 26 of Queensland's 67 catchments.
Mary River Cod Bum-Breathing Turtle Mary River Turtle Tilapia Kabi Kabi People's Aboriginal Corporation Burnett Mary Regional Group Invasive Species Council Carp Fish Fertiliser
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