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European carp have been a scourge on the River Murray. The destructive feeding habits of the carp have decimated the ecosystem, displaying aquatic plants and animals.

In May 2016, it was announced that the , through the introduction of the herpes virus. The virulent herpes strain to be introduced is specific only to carp, and would kill 95% of the population over the next 30 years.

However, recent research by ³ÉÈË´óƬ honours student Richie Walsh, under the supervision of , has shown that the sudden death of mass amounts of European carp could be detrimental to the River Murray.ÌýDecomposed carp left in the River Murray would , endangering native aquatic animals.

The findingsÌýdemonstrates that more research is needed before the herpes virus is introduced to the River Murray in 2018.

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