The eradication of a pest
To many in rural Australia, European Carp are seen as the rabbits of the waterways - breeding prolifically, damaging native fish species and degrading the aquatic environment.

In 1995 a group of farmers in Hay decided that action was required and required quickly. The idea was simple. To find and implement a commercial use for carp that would encourage their removal from the waterways.

While the concept was initially geared toward the production of stock feed, by 1998 the group had moved on the production of liquid fish fertiliser and the brand Charlie Carp was born. Today Charlie Carp is a “growing” business in every sense of the word. An increasing number of carp are being removed from regional waterways, the range of fertiliser products are gaining increased market share, and in the process a growing number of people are being educated about the damage caused to our inland waterways.

Environmental credentials
Charlie Carp has a long term commitment to addressing the issues of carp in Australia’s inland waterways. Rather than looking at the carp as a worthless pest, Charlie Carp uses the fish as a valuable resource in the production of a high quality liquid fertiliser. This approach has understandably drawn some criticism that by making carp a commercial input it has removed any commitment on the part of the company to the longer term eradication of carp from our waterways. This is not the case. Charlie Carp is committed to addressing the problems caused by carp in a very practical manner. The solution is one that is driven by commercial reality - if Charlie Carp had not attached a real commercial value to the removal of carp, the fish that are now fertilising our plants would be still infesting our waterways.

The Charlie Carp approach has converted an environmental menace into a high value product, creating a demand to remove more carp. The longer term environmental aims are simple. While the physical removal of carp will never totally eradicate the problem, a significant reduction in numbers will allow native fish numbers to increase, promote increased biodiversity and assist in the successful rehabilitation of riparian zones.

In for the long haul
Charlie Carp has essentially grown through the enthusiasm and the dedication of the people behind the company and their commitment to removing carp from our inland waterways. Financial support has come from private individuals prepared to take on a long term investment with strong environmental returns.

The company has a reputation for regional innovation and now employs seven full time staff who ensure the business is run efficiently and in line with environmentally sound practices from the sourcing and handling of raw product through to the manufacture of the liquid fertiliser.

How it’s done
In terms of sourcing materials, Charlie Carp holds licences with NSW Fisheries to remove carp in all areas of NSW.

Licensed professional fishermen are contracted to deliver carp to the factory and a set of procedures is in place to ensure only carp are used for processing.

At a harvesting level, fish are caught using an appropriate process for the particular waterway - ranging from set lines, trawling, electro fishing or trapping and are usually quick chilled on removal from the waterway before being transported to the factory.

The fishing process is conducted in a way that seeks to minimise the impact on other species and whenever native fish are caught they are always returned to the waterway.

At a processing level, Charlie Carp is unique in the fact that it is the only company in Australia with a history of successfully producing a liquid fertiliser from whole carp. Standards of operation are documented and maintained at the highest levels to not only ensure the quality of the product but also comply with regulations set out by Local Government and the Environmental Protection Authority. The process is highly efficient in that it is able to use every part of the carp.

While the process underpinning the current range of products is well established, Charlie Carp is developing new and improved processes that reduce the need for any additives and maintain the overall efficiency of the product. Every part of the carp is used with virtually no waste from the time the fish leaves the water to the time it enters the soil as liquid fertiliser.

Community engagement
The company has links with national events such as the Clean up Australia campaign and has donated product to encourage further community involvement in this event. The company also works with local farming organisations, and even groups of farmers who have identified problems with carp in local waterways.

A worthwhile mission
Charlie Carp is a practical commercial approach to a damaging environmental problem. The mission is, and will continue to be, the manufacture of innovative products which provide our customers with superior results and benefit our rivers and waterways and the Australian environment.