There are a number of questions hot on the lips of all those interested in the health of our inland rivers in Australia, and presently they all seem to be about the impending release of the Coi Herpes Virus that could see the species become all but extinct.
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The ABC this week broke the news of fears that a rapid kill of carp in the River Murray using a strain of the herpes virus could lead to big side effects for the health of the ecosystem, early research findings have shown.
The Federal Government is hoping to release cyprinid herpesvirus-3 at the end of 2018 to reduce huge numbers of the introduced pest.
The strain has been proven to kill carp without affecting other species.
As reported by the ABC, research is now underway to work out how the ecosystem would change without them, and with the decomposition of their bodies.
Small changes in oxygen levels can have big ramifications for native wildlife.
So researchers at the University of Adelaide have been putting dead carp into 800-litre tubs of water to try to measure the amount of oxygen the decomposing fish use up.
Although the work is in its early stages, researcher Richie Walsh said it was showing some dramatic results.
"There's a lot of things we need to determine, but so far my research does indicate that there will be huge side effects for the rest of the ecosystem."
If the herpes virus is released, there is the potential that millions of tonnes of rotting fish will have to be removed from the system.
Mr Walsh said there was evidence to suggest the carp might not float.
Carp are often referred to as the rabbits of the river.
Since being introduced, the bottom feeders now make up more than 80 per cent of fish biomass in the Murray system and cost the economy an estimated $500 million each year.
Matt Barwick from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, who is working on the project, said nothing would go ahead without a series of environmental and social approvals.
"A fantastic opportunity, one of the biggest ecological interventions that we have seen in our generation.
"If the risks that are borne out of the legislative approval process and the public consultation process can't be resolved, clearly this won't go ahead."
Mr Barwick said those involved were looking at international case studies, as well as new research.
Researchers say that if the herpes virus is released, there is the potential that millions of tonnes of rotting fish will have to be removed from the water ways.
