Catch a Carp: Catch. Learn. Protect.
Fishcare Victoria is proud to be delivering Catch a Carp, a statewide community education and engagement project made possible through funding from the Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) Trust Account.
This project will deliver five Catch a Carp events across Victoria — partnering with local communities in Ballarat, Warrnambool, Geelong, Melbourne Metro and East Gippsland. Each event combines fishing, environmental education and practical demonstrations to increase awareness about European carp and empower communities to play a positive role in protecting local waterways.
Why Carp?
European carp are one of Australia’s most damaging invasive freshwater species. Their feeding behaviour disturbs aquatic plants, increases water turbidity and degrades habitat for native fish and wildlife. By targeting carp and removing them responsibly, recreational fishers can contribute to improved waterway health.
What Happens at a Catch a Carp Event?
Each Catch a Carp event brings together three key components:
🎣 Fishing Clinics – Delivered by Fishcare Victoria
Participants learn how to use fishing rods, target carp effectively and handle fish safely and responsibly. Equipment is provided and sessions are welcoming to all ages and experience levels.
🌿 Habitat & Ecology Activities – Delivered in partnership with OzFish
Hands-on workshops explore aquatic ecology, water quality, habitat health and the impacts carp have on river systems. Activities may include water bug investigations and discussions about sedimentation and native species protection.
🍽 Carp Processing & Cooking – Delivered by Keith Bell
Demonstrations show how carp can be humanely dispatched, processed correctly and even used as a food source. Participants also learn about alternative uses including fertiliser and sustainable resource recovery.
Together, these activities help communities understand the environmental impacts of carp while promoting humane, legal and responsible fishing practices.
Supporting Local Communities
Catch a Carp events are delivered in partnership with local schools, community groups and environmental organisations. In many locations, the events are community-led initiatives that Fishcare is proud to support and value-add to through our RFL-funded project.
By combining practical skills, environmental education and community action, Catch a Carp is about more than fishing, it’s about stewardship, youth engagement and building healthier waterways for the future.
Check out our project page for upcoming dates, locations and more resources, and join us to Catch. Learn. Protect.
