Could herpes help save Australia’s waterways?
Since an introduced strain of carp escaped from farm dams in the 1960s, carp have wrought havoc on Australia’s waterways.
They’re responsible for degradation of acquatic ecosystems and have become the most abundant type of large freshwater fish in a number of areas, including the Murray-Darling Basin.
Scientists are thinking of introducing these pests to the herpes virus to control the carp population.
Could unleashing herpes really save our native aquatic habitats? And what are the risks of releasing a virus into our waterways?
We were joined by Susan Lawler, ecology and conservation expert from La Trobe University to find out more.
