Last Updated:04 May 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 Spring 2025 and again at Galup in Autumn 2026.
The project succeeded in removing 1,791 feral fish from the Town’s lakes. The 801 feral fish removed from the west lake at Perry Lakes consisted of 7 large Carp, 794 small Carp (under 8cms), and one Pearl Cichlid. The 990 feral fish removed from Galup consisted of 642 large Carp, 217 Goldfish, 129 Pearl Cichlids and two Murray Cod.
This project is complete for the 2025-2026 financial year.
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.
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