Last Updated:07/04/2026
The Town of Cambridge is undertaking a feral fish control program at Galup and Perry Lakes to help protect and restore the ecological health of the lakes. The works will be carried out using electrofishing, a method commonly used by environmental specialists to safely capture and remove invasive species.
This project aims to reduce the impacts of feral fish on local biodiversity, while also collecting valuable data on the scale of the issue. The information gathered will guide future management actions and support the long-term conservation of the Town’s lakes.
September 2025 – Engage contactor
Spring 2025 – Undertake Electrofishing – 2-3day events at each lake, prior to water levels dropping over the warmer months.
Late 2025/Early 2026 – Undertake Follow up Electrofishing events as required and allowed for in budget.
The Town engaged PASES Aqua to undertake feral fish removal at Perry Lakes and Galup in late November and early December. More than 1,000 feral fish (including Carp, Pearl Cichlids and Goldfish) were removed from the lakes and the process provided valuable insight into the status of invasive fish populations in these wetlands. The lakes require ongoing monitoring and management of feral fish populations. A further seven days of feral fish removal was undertake at Galup in the last two weeks in March 2026. In addition to the above mentioned feral fish species, this catch included Murray Cod.
Introduced (pest/invasive/feral) freshwater fish such as koi, carp and goldfish species are known to have detrimental impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
There can be major benefits to wetland health by removing these feral species, including:
The contractor will enter each lake with a specialized electrofishing boat. They will target areas of optimum habitat for the feral fish and shock the fish momentarily, allowing them time to scoop them out of the lake.
All fish will be identified; feral species will be euthanized humanely and native fish will be returned to the water upon capture.
Contractors have safety procedures and protocols in place for the use of this specialized electrofishing equipment and signage will be in place while the work is being carried out.
Contractors will acquire the necessary permits and licenses by the relevant state departments prior to commencement.
When used correctly, electrofishing is a useful non-lethal, versatile and efficient tool, most effective in shallow waters.
It is an effective method of removing feral fish in lakes, however it is not always possible to capture every single fish, so total eradication may not be possible. It is likely that follow up events will be required on an ongoing basis, particularly in Galup where feral fish have been present for a long time.
You can help by: