Keith has over 35 years experience in the Fishing industry and has worked exclusively in the Carp Fishery industry for the past 20 years. This has led to him being recognized as an expert in his field and regularly sought to provide consultant services and present at conferences across the world.

Cate has been directly involved in the business since its inception, is an accredited Food Safety Auditor specializing in the Seafood industry.

K&C Fisheries is the largest Carp harvesting and processing company in the Southern Hemisphere, with processing targets in excess of 1000 tonnes of Carp per annum. Exporting 70% of its product to Europe and the Middle East and 30% of product sold to the domestic market. K&C Fisheries export products include Carp Trunks to the Middle East and EU, Carp Roe to Germany and whole fish to the domestic market.

K&C Fisheries employ up to 18 staff and operates using $1.8M infrastructure, such as boats, trucks, twin engine Cessna 337 aircraft and specialist machinery (designed and manufactured by K&C Fisheries Research & Development Department).

K&C Fisheries operate under a permit system in Victorian waters and under licence in New South Wales utilizing seine fishing, electro-fishing and specialist traps dependant on location and fishing conditions. K&C Fisheries obtained Export Registration in 1998, Kosher Certification in 2000 and EU Export License accreditation in 2002.

Despite its reputation in Australia, internationally, Carp is the highest consumed fish, with consumption per annum in China of 1.23million tonnes, Poland 80,000 tonnes and Israel 40,000 tonnes.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

Carp are accused of creating many problems in our waterways. Carp are now the most abundant large freshwater fish in the Murray-Darling Basin and are the dominant fish species in many fish communities in south-eastern Australia. The species is widespread in rivers, lakes, dams and estuarine systems in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. More limited populations occur in Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Carp are responsible for increased water turbidity through their feeding behavior, which uproots aquatic plants and prevents reestablishment. Carp compete with native fish for food and habitat.

Carp are long lived and prolific breeders. Male carp mature at 1-3 years while female carp mature at 2-4 years and may produce more than one million eggs per year. Carp can migrate at any time of year and spawning usually occurs in late spring or early summer. Females may spawn several times in one season.

During the early 1960's evidence of ecosystem damage by carp in North America raised concerns about potential problems in Australian waters. Carp were subsequently declared noxious and an eradication program was undertaken by the Victorian Department of Fisheries and Wildlife to kill all carp in farm dams with poisons.

CARP ERADICATION & ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Commercial carp fishing is one of the methods to help eradicate Carp at this stage. K&C Fisheries and other commercial fishers have been utilized for these operations because of the local knowledge and expertise.

Carp thrive in disturbed river environments. Restoring the health of our aquatic ecosystems will contribute to addressing the carp problem.

K&C Fisheries remove in excess of 1000 tonnes of Carp per annum, primarily from the Gippsland Lakes & Rivers catchments. This is returning a benefit to the environment by way of less turbidity, increasing Photosynthesis, therefore greater plant life and improved ecology, the water is cleaner for human activity and improves water taste for stock.

The carp industry doesn't only help the fisher and the environment, but is also a big help to the community and government. K&C Fisheries support up to 18 families directly and the rest of the industry could be supporting between 4 - 70 families directly. With industry earning $1.7m/year, this in turn is a benefit to the community with a value of approximately $5.1 million on a dry year.

Keith Bell - Mobile: +61 428 517 157      Cate Bell - Mobile: +61 428 331 933
Export Licence No 3435     ABN 73 080 059 294