Hawley Editorial Feb. 18, 2007
I find it particularly interesting that while some sectors of the world try to control the spread of KHV that other parts of the globe such as scientists in Australia consider using the virus as a biological control. If scientists find it does not harm fish species important to their economy is their the potential that the virus could be spread to other parts of the globe via various vector that could further harm ornamentals such as koi that obviously have economic value? Plus, would policy makers in state's like Maine and Vermont consider KHV as a viable control worth considering to control carp, koi and other invasives?
Consider this story about research being done in Australia:
Virus May Control Australia's 'River Rabbit'
Science Daily — CSIRO scientists are investigating a potential new biological control agent that could hold the key to eradicating one of the nation’s most invasive aquatic pests – carp.
Australian Animal Health Laboratory biocontainment technician, Neil Slater, displays a good sized carp he recently caught. (Image courtesy of CSIRO Australia)
Researchers at CSIRO Livestock Industries’ Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong – with the Department of Primary Industries Victoria – are investigating Koi herpesvirus as a means of controlling the introduced fish.
Project leader Dr Mark Crane says the virus, which first emerged in Israel in 1998*, caused mass mortalities in carp in the US, the UK, Israel, the Netherlands, Japan and Indonesia. So far the virus does not appear to have reached Australia.
Supported with $355,000 from the newly formed Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, the two-year project will investigate the effectiveness of Koi herpesvirus in controlling strains of carp present in Australia and will examine whether the virus will have any impact on certain native fauna.
“All testing will be done within the secure biocontainment facilities at CSIRO AAHL,” Dr Crane says.
Dr Crane says while carp are a valuable resource in Asian countries, in Australia the fish is generally viewed as a major pest.
“Given their reproductive capacity and their hardiness, carp have been termed the ‘rabbit of the river’.”
Carp were introduced into Australia in the early 1900s as a food and sporting fish. During extensive flooding in the 1970s the fish escaped from farm dams and took over the waterways. They can tolerate a wide range of water temperatures, salinity and pH levels. Carp can also survive and breed in polluted, poorly oxygenated water.
“The fish grow to up to 20 kilograms or more in weight and each female can lay up to three million eggs in a single season,” Dr Crane says. “In some areas of south-eastern Australia carp make up more than 85 per cent of the fish in the rivers and creeks.
“The virus works by attacking the carp’s gills as well as other vital organs and eventually killing its host. Koi herpesvirus is attractive as a biological control agent as overseas studies suggest that it has a very limited host range, infecting only carp.
“If the laboratory studies show promise, the next step will be extensive government, public and industry consultation to determine the best course of action to control carp, while protecting and restoring Australia’s valuable waterways,” Dr Crane says.
The project is part of a larger pest fish control program under the Invasive Animals CRC and 50-year Native Fish Strategy at the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. Other technologies being developed in the pest fish program include ‘daughterless’ technology, carp-specific biocides, pheromone and sensory attractants.
“It is anticipated that if these technologies are proven to be effective and safe, they will be applied on-ground in an integrated pest fish control program for the Murray-Darling Basin,” Dr Crane says.
*Earlier outbreaks occurred in UK in 1996 but the first scientific reports appeared following the outbreaks in Israel.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by CSIRO Australia.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/09/060908000617.htm
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After contacting Spike Cover about this topic I've decided to contact the facility directly to find out if this is continuing research.
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 04:57:22 -0800 (PST)
From: "John Hawley" <pijoehawley@yahoo.com>
Subject: Inquiry regarding Koi Herpes Virus Research as Bio Control for carp
To: Martyn.Jeggo@csiro.au
CC: Lisa.Palu@csiro.au
Greetings Dr. Martyn Jeggo, Director CSIRO Livestock Industries AAHL,
Would you kindly inform me if Dr. Mark Crane and his team continue to research the use of Koi Herpes Virus as a means of controlling carp in the wild? This has been reported as late as September of 2006 in Science Daily as an undertaking at your laboratory in Geelong – with the Department of Primary Industries Victoria.
Regards,
John Hawley
(904)333-3527
Jacksonville, Fl. U.S.A.
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Subject: Inquiry regarding Koi Herpes Virus Research as Bio Control for carp
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 13:20:05 +1100
From:Mark.Crane@csiro.au
To: Pijoehawley@yahoo.com
CC:Martyn.Jeggo@csiro.au, Lisa.Palu@csiro.au
Hi John,
Martyn has forwarded your email to me for a response. The short answer is - Yes, we are undertaking some research to assist with determining the feasibility of using KHV as a biological control agent for carp in Australia. FYI, I have attached the media release that went out previously.
If you have any further questions you can contact me directly and either I, or Ken McColl - the senior laboratory scientist involved in the project, will provide you with further info.
Regards
Mark
MARK CRANE Ph.D.
Project Leader
AAHL Fish Diseases Laboratory
Australian Animal Health Laboratory
CSIRO Livestock Industries
Private Bag 24
Geelong Vic 3220
International Phone: ᄉ 3 52 275118
International Fax: ᄉ 3 52 275555
email: mark.crane@csiro.au
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My Response on Monday, February 19, 2007 was as follows:
Dr. Crane,
I appreciate your rapid response even though it saddens me to see that your laboratory is seriously considering the use of KHV as a biological control agent for release into the Australian environment. This may not be the time to lobby against such a measure outside of the public comment and consultation period, but I'm sure I speak for many keepers of ornamental koi around the world with my protest against consideration of such a measure by your laboratory. As with SVC and VHS and the various strains of these diseases the complete impact to native species along with the various carp species might never be fully known and the various vectors that might transport the disease into other fisheries is obviously a concern. I'm not a scientist, but a media guy and member of various hobbyist organizations such as the Associated Koi Clubs of America that is working to eliminate the disease your lab is considering spreading. When the time is appropriate for public comment I hope our organization and others around the world will be afforded the opportunity to voice their opposition to carrying out any such measures.
Respectfully,
John Hawley
James Reilly, AKCA and ZNA judge had this to say about the issue: “Good lord, you just can't stop yourself, can you? JR” http://koi-bito.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5804
I’m not sure if that comment is in support of using KHV as a biological control or maybe he really doesn’t care?
Steve Childers, AKCA judge and KOI USA editor responded with, “On the other hand.....
Do ya'll know about the reference they used as "the river rabit" in Australia? Australia as a unique set of ecological factors and balance and non native species can quickly throw the ecological balance for a loop as was the case with the introduction of rabits way back when. With no natural predator, rabits quickly threw the ecological balance for a loop and native species were threatened. Australia has controls already in place for ornamental carp to help prevent this disaster which may already be in the making. We may love our Koi, but perhaps some environments don't?
Steve
Which prompted me to ask him, “I'm not sure what you mean with the title, "On the other hand....." although I appreciate importances of recognizing many in the regulatory and scientific world consider carp of any stripe a nuisance species? Could this be colored as something we should support?”
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Mike Robinson, an industry professional had this to say, “I have often wondered if a government agency would do that. However, I thought it would be the US , not Australia ! I perfectly understand why they would want to try to do it because in addition to being a Koi farmer, I am also a biologist that deals with restoration of the native aquatic environment. However, I really believe that the plan is foolhardy, because some Koi will most certainly survive and develop resistance to the disease. And what about Asia & Europe? If Australia engineers the disease to be particularly deadly and it somehow (it would eventually) got to where the carp is native, it would be devastating to the region.”
Thanks,
Mike Robinson
Keystone Hatcheries