Fishers and conservationists urge release of herpes virus to kill Murray river carp

Unlikely alliance says specialised disease will transform rivers and protect native fish species after exponential growth in numbers of the European invader

Conservationists and recreational fishers have joined forces to support the release of a specialised herpes virus targeting carp in the Murray river.

Scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation have been testing the koi herpes virus in Australian native fish species, birds, amphibians and other animals found along the river for seven years to see if it is safe to release into the ecosystem.