One of South East Queensland’s biggest fishing events will be held this Saturday – it’s Logan City Council’s annual Pest Fishing Cup in Demelo Park on 116 Demelo Road at Berrinba.
Registrations for the free event have closed but those competing will help clear waterways and wetlands of Carp and Tilapia and might even win one of the great prizes on offer.
Tilapia were introduced to Australia in the 1970’s and they’re an official pest.
The species is native to Africa, South and Central America, Southern India and Sri Lanka and they can mouth brood 1000 hatchlings at a time that can live long after the adult has died.
Carp are a large freshwater fish native to central Asia. They’re extensively farmed in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and are a popular angling fish in Europe. However, in North America, Canada and Australia, Carp are considered a significant pest.
They’re very versatile, and can live in a great variety of habitats including highly degraded areas. Over the past few decades Carp have spread across most of south-eastern Australia.
They are now the most abundant large freshwater fish in some areas, including most of the Murray-Darling Basin, and are thought to have contributed to the degradation of our natural aquatic ecosystems.
Registered competitors need to bring the following:
- Fishing equipment (limited loan equipment is available in the ‘learn to fish’ area, however waiting times may apply)
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Long sleeved shirt
- Water bottle
- Chair
Due to COVID-19, if you fall into any of the below categories please do not attend the event if:
- you have been overseas in the last 14 days prior to the event,
- unwell or have a cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath,
- you have been in close contact with a person who is positive for COVID-19.
- Please maintain 1.5m physical distancing during the event.
- Please allow for 15 minutes for event check in.
The event is being delivered under the Scrubby Creek Implementation Plan and promotes the practice of responsible fishing and educates the community on pest fish and how to improve our waterways.
The event involves working in partnership with the local fish stocking association, the Freshwater Fishing & Stocking Association of Queensland FFSAQ , as well as sponsors OzFish and Alvey Reels .
Wildlife and fish experts will be on hand giving demonstrations and talks.
