August – September 2018 AKA Reporter Reporter... · August – September 2018 Administrative...

JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN KOI ASSOCIATION INC

AKA Reporter

August – September 2018 www.akakoi.com.au

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Augus t — Sep tembe r 2018 1

August – September 2018 Administrative Members and contact details _____________________________________ 2President’s Report __________________________________________________________ 3 Meeting Notices and Agendas, New Members, Auction Dates, AKA Committee Meeting Dates, Table Show Results _______________________________________ 4–5Important announcement: AKA Koi Auction Protocol _____________________________ 5Is the release of koi heprevirus in Australia necessary by Dr Richmond Loh and Dr Jelena Vukcevic ______________________________________________________ 6Buy, swap and sell __________________________________________________________ 8 International scientist condemns NCCP virus proposal ___________________________ 10AKA Min-Northern NSW News by John Irwin __________________________________ 13The 11th Asia Cup 2018, Jakarta by Kate McGill-Andrews ________________________ 14AKA Koi Food & Supplies—New Outlets _______________________________________ 23Membership applications and renewal form ____________________________________ 24

Thank you to our advertisers...Australian Koi Farm _________________________________________ Inside front cover AKA Members’ Supplies ________________________________________Inside back coverThe Pond Man ____________________________________________________ Back cover

For all advertising enquiries please contact Gordon Kilborn 02 9153 9012 or 0429 664 916

AKA Reporter

AKA Reporter is published by the Australian Koi Association Inc. ABN 91 669 147 584

Advertising enquiries: Gordon Kilborn 02 9153 9012 or 0429 664 916Newsletter production www.petergibson.com.au All correspondence to:The Secretary, Australian Koi Association, 17 Westmore Drive, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125

DisclaimerThe opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the Australian Koi Association or its management. Nor does the Association accept responsibility for the claims made by advertisers or members in respect of any service or items offered for sale herein.

© 2017 Australian Koi Association Inc.

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AKA REPORTER2

The Australian Koi Association Inc.Patron: Professor Simon Chapman AO PhD FASSA Bankstown Branch President Ian Andrews 0418 255 897Vice President Arthur Johnston 0405 453 226Secretary Carol Durrant 0415 655 063Treasurer Terry McNeil 0419 429 207Public Officer John Rhodes 0415 134 652

Committee MembersShow Coordinator Paul Miglionico (02) 9862 0472 / 0415 834 529Show Support Group Graham and Lee Fameli 0412 304 190 Joe and Rita Borg (02) 9832 9676 Shane Murray 0400 936 267 Kevin Wong 0418 182 818 Heinz Zimmermann 0428 478 594Membership Officer David Durrant 0414 834 499 (Subscriptions to PO Box 68 St Clair NSW 2759)Supply Officers Ron and Max Farrugia (02) 9533 2546 / 0403 029 532Auction Coordinator Heinz Zimmermann 0428 478 594Auction Assistant Joe Borg 0416 545 882 AKA ReporterEditor Kate McGill-Andrews (02) 9871 2483Photography John Ling 0411 156 648Advertising/Distribution Gordon Kilborn (02) 9153 9012 / 0429 664 916

Committee Support PanelPublicity Alf Mizzi (02) 9555 6497Librarian Heinz Zimmermann 0428 478 594Catering George and Betty Ludbrook (02) 9602 2493Social Secretary Heinz Zimmermann 0428 478 594Sizing and Assets John Rhodes (02) 9661 4735Webmaster and Facebook Shayne Murray 0400 936 267Table Show Registrar Vacant

AKA Mid-Northern NSW BranchChairman John Irwin 0406 947 200Secretary Louise Irwin 0405 731 309

Website www.akakoi.com.au Facebook www.facebook.com/AustralianKoiAssociation Life MembersEthel Allen*; Ian Andrews; Jack Cohen*; Mary Cohen; Max Farrugia; Ron Farrugia; Barbara and Bryce Hough; Arthur Johnston; Gordon Kilborn; Yvonne Louis; Betty and George Ludbrook; Kate McGill-Andrews; Dorothy Miglionico; Paul Miglionico; Ken Newton; Dave Pogson*; Arthur Robinson; Alan Walter*; Barbara Walter*; Harry Watson*; Robert Wood*; Heinz Zimmermann.

*Deceased

All correspondenceAustralian Koi Association, 17 Westmore Drive, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125


The winter has set in and at times our poor koi are lined up like soldiers on the bottom of our ponds. This is a tell-tale sign that their “cold-blooded” systems have slowed down dramatically due to the effects of their low-temperature environment and

the principle reason why we should all but cease feeding at this time of year, as they cannot properly process any food when subject to temperatures lower than 10–12°C.

On a livelier note, I take this opportunity to congratulate the AKA’s Treasurer Terry McNeil on taking out both the coveted GC title as well as Reserve Champion at the recent Future Champions Show. A great result indeed on a very, very cold morning this year!

Plans are now underway for AKA’s 20th Annual Young Koi Show to be tentatively held in the club hall on Sunday 7th October. We hope to make it a really special day and we will be catering lunch. As per the last two years’ successful shows, we will be holding this event with the koi in Japanese-style clear plastic bags. Details are on page 8.

Next year both the AKA and KSA will be jointly hosting The Sydney Koi Show on the 26th May in a effort to increase numbers of entrants and reduce show costs as well as utilize the strengths of both koi clubs to ensure our koi show remains a popular and highly supported event. Both Paul Miglionico and Dick Powers will act as Show Chairmen, jointly in charge of how the show will run on the day. Two Japanese ZNA Certified Judges have been invited and to date we have one formal acceptance.

I’d also like to formally congratulate both Adrian Falconer (WA) and Martin Rocliffe on their recent Senate presentations in Canberra on behalf of koi keepers across the country—pictured above. They have put the non-release of the koi herpes virus case to the Federal Government and the evidence is very strong as to why we should not allow the NCCP to sell a plan that has been scientifically ridiculed both internationally

and domestically. The Government must act in the best interest of our waterways and not undertake such a highly risky release with no end-guarantee of successfully eradicating carp from our waterways.

Lastly, sincere commiserations to Graham Fameli who recently broke his leg at work; hope you are back up to full strength soon mate.

Kate and I will unfortunately miss the September meeting; we will be on our annual trek to the UK to visit family. Please accept our apologies. Arthur and Paul will be holding the reins in our absence.

Yours in koi, Ian Andrews President AKA ■

President’s Report

AKA Subscriptions

2018-19Due 1st July.

Have you renewed yet?Contact Membership Officer Dave Durrant 0414 834 499

AKA REPORTER4

Join our monthly meetings

All members and friends are invited to attend our meetings, at which we discuss the general business of the Association, hear presentations from koi experts and enjoy the social company of other koi fanciers. Our meetings also include a table show competition and a raffle draw.

Meetings are held in a family-friendly venue at the Scottish Hall, 4 Weigand Avenue, Bankstown, on the first Wednesday of each month. ■

August Meeting

The June General Meeting of the Australian Koi Association Inc will be held at the Scottish Hall, 4 Weigand Avenue Bankstown, Wednesday 1 August 2018, 7.30 pm. 1. Welcome to members and guests 2. Apologies3. Confirmation of minutes of previous monthly

general meeting.4. Raffle5. Reports6. General Business7. Raffle Draw ■

September Meeting

The May General Meeting of the Australian Koi Association Inc will be held at the Scottish Hall, 4 Weigand Avenue Bankstown, Wednesday 5 September 2018, 7.30 pm. 1. Welcome to members and guests 2. Apologies3. Confirmation of minutes of previous monthly

general meeting.4. Raffle5. Reports6. General Business7. Raffle Draw ■

New members New members are always assured of a friendly welcome when attending the AKA’s monthly meetings. Help and advice is available if required and our Supply Officers can provide you with koi food and accessories at favourable prices. Call our membership officer (details on page 2).

Contributions to the AKA Reporter

We welcome any contributions to this newsletter. If you have news, articles or photographs that you think would be of interest to members, send them to Ian Andrews either by email ([email protected]) or call Ian on 0418 255 897. Articles should preferably be submitted in MS Word or similar word processing files. Photographs should be submitted as separate files, not embedded in the article itself.

AKA News and Events

AKA auction dates

Held at Auburn Botanic Gardens (entry from Killeen Street, Auburn). Commencing at 10.00 am. Quality fish at reasonable prices! Food and refreshments available. Fish food and other fish keeping supplies also available.

Bankstown City NSW Chapter Zen Nippon Airinkai

Sunday 5 August 2018Sunday 7 October 2018

Sunday 18 November 2018Sunday 10 February 2019

Sunday 14 April 2019Sunday 16 June 2019Sunday 4 August 2019

Sunday 13 October 2019 Sunday 17 November 2019


Table Show Results July 2018

Open 1st Koromo Jimmy Tran

Judges: Ron & Max FarrugiaJudges’ Choice: Koromo, Jimmy Tran

AKA Koi Auction Protocol There was, unfortunately, an incident at a recent koi auction when an objection was raised against paying for bins when the koi for sale in them were disqualified from the sale on health grounds and removed from the auction.

It seems timely to remind all AKA Members wishing to auction koi that the fish put up for sale must be in good condition and that the very experienced inspectors who go around the bins before the auction starts have the absolute authority to disqualify any koi they consider sick (for example, severe redness in the fins or skin, evidence of fin rot, raised scales, ulcers or holes anywhere on the body or head).

Obviously deformed koi or those showing evidence of a tumour (usually a swelling on one side of the abdomen) will also not be allowed into the auction.

To offer for sale koi that are not in the very best condition reflects badly on both the AKA and the owner since it is not in the spirit of good koi husbandry.

However, owners must note: if bins have been booked, they must be paid for, regardless of disqualification of koi they contained.

The bottom line: If AKA members wish to sell koi at auction it is their primary responsibility to make sure the koi in question are in good condition. ■

KSA Auction Dates

Sunday 9 September 2018

Sunday 2 October 2018

Sunday 2 December 2018

AKA Committee

Meeting Dates

Monday 20 August 2018

Monday 15 October 2018

AKA REPORTER6

Drs Richmond Loh and Jelena Vukcevic, The Fish Vet.

On 19/02/18, there was an ACT Key Stakeholder Workshop on the Proposed National Release of the carp virus which we were invited to attend on behalf of the Australian Veterinary Association. Attendees at the meeting included personnel from anglers’ societies, local government, universities, parks and fisheries, RSPCA and animal welfare monitors. After attending this meeting, many questions remained unanswered, and these are penned below.

European carp (Cyprinus carpio) were introduced to Australia 180 years ago. Apparently, a hardy strain of carp escaped from a fish farm and they have, in the last 60 years, started to dominate south-eastern Australian aquatic ecosystems. In the period 2004 to 2014, the carp numbers have trebled, and in some areas make up to 80% of the biomass of fish present. Carp have been blamed for muddying the waters, and cause decline in native fish populations. But are booming carp populations the cause, or effect, of poor conditions in the waters of the Murray-Darling Basin?

As scientists, we know that correlation does not equal causation. Research has shown that carp numbers are highest in places with high levels of environmental disturbance such as conditions found in regulated rivers and this coincides with the building of dams and weirs. Some argue their adaptability is because they have high fecundity (80,000-100,000 eggs per kilogram female bodyweight). However, this level of egg production is not extraordinary, when compared with native species like silver perch which produce 125,000 eggs per kg female bodyweight.

Carps’ adaptability lies in the fact they can tolerate extremes of temperature and water quality, and are able to reproduce in dammed waters. According to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), projects that prohibit natural water flow will prevent recruitment of native fish due to barriers for migration, cold-water

pollution (when water is released from dams) identified as a major barrier to providing cues for native fish to breed. Other reasons stated by the MDBA for declines in native fish include siltation from land runoff, de-snagging for safer boat passage, channelisation for irrigation, agrichemical pollution and elevated salinity were other major reasons that have led to loss of native habitat and food for native fishes. The MDBA plan is to ensure that water is shared between all users, including the environment, in a sustainable way.

The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) acknowledges that though carp are not necessarily the primary cause, overseas research has shown that they contribute to environmental degradation. There are other papers that have contrary findings. This said, the MDBA estimates, with feral fish control, there would be an estimated 4% improvement to pre-European settlement times.

The NCCP was given a budget of $15M in the beginning of 2016 and tasked to research, plan, consult and assess risks, to identify a smart, safe, effective and integrated suite of measures to control carp impacts. Evaluation of several methods of carp control were conducted including “carp muster” (fishing) events, manipulation of water flows, poisons, Judas carp (radio-tracking carp to identify areas of high concentrations for this schooling species), traps on weirs (because unlike native fish, carp can leap across such barriers), daughterless technology (fish producing single-sex offspring), pheromones (to attract carp to traps), and commercial fishing (electrofishing can only catch 14% of the population, and there are inaccessible areas). The NCCP have identified the use of a biological control agent as the key method that can deliver outcomes within budget and quickly.

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is commonly known as koi herpesvirus (KHV). It appears to be very host-specific and highly contagious, causing mortalities in Cyprinus carpio (common carp and Japanese koi) that are >2cm in length with the most susceptible age-class being under 1 year of age. Infection

Is the release of the koi herpesvirus (cyprinid herpesvirus 3) in Australia necessary?


and disease is highly dependent on water temperature. The virus is stable and can remain infectious in water for 3 days. Cyprinus carpio is present all over Australia except for Northern Territory, prized by coarse fishing anglers, and kept as pets in WA, NSW and the ACT.

The NCCP conveyed that CyHV-1 (causes benign epidermal tumours in carp/koi and goldfish) and CyHV-2 (initial occurrence caused massive goldfish kills, but now contributes to immunosuppression, interstitial nephritis and low-level mortalities in naïve goldfish), are already endemic in Australia, where they are present in feral and pet fish populations. NCCP proposes release of a third kind of herpesvirus, the CyHV-3. Though CyHV-3 is now present in 33 countries, Australia’s dedication to biosecurity and ban on carp imports has prevented its entry to Australia. CyHV-3 is not just another benign herpesvirus, but is one can have wide ranging socio-political and economic effects, such that it is listed by the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health), and is a reportable disease in Australia.

Carp are the most widely-cultured animal protein for human consumption, with annual production ranging between 4 and 5 million tonnes (salmon production is only half of this), accounting for over 40% of the total aquaculture by tonnage, thus the importance of the disease’s listing as a reportable by the OIE. With a world food shortage crisis forecast to occur in the next 50 years, it would have implications on future possible economic developments on carp fishery and culture. While other countries are investing in measures to contain and limit the effects of the virus, Australia is looking at the possibility of voluntary release of this virus. Moreover, Australian authorities would need to constantly produce increasingly virulent viruses, and these could escape and threaten global food security. Having an OIE-listed disease in our country, how would it impact on the trade of freshwater fishes and potentially contaminated equipment?

Overseas, koi and carp production continues despite CyHV-3. Farmers have had to, at high cost, practice strict biosecurity or vaccinate their fish with the live attenuated strain. Once fish are vaccinated, vaccination must continue for all future generations or introductions, so that they do not contract the disease.

Koi owners around Australia are understandably concerned that this would kill their pets and rightfully so. Under the current legislation, any property detected with CyHV-3 will require all fish on the premises to be destroyed and facilities disinfected. Pet koi can

live for over 30 years (which is much longer than most domesticated pets), and some are gifts from their parents who have passed on. To lose their pets to this herpesvirus would be unimaginable. Already the CyHV-1 and CyHV-2 are widely distributed across the feral and pet populations. It is only a matter of time until CyHV-3 spreads to domesticated pet koi carp. It is insidious, with clinically healthy koi carp either carrying or incubating the disease, entering collections. Goldfish and possibly a variety of other species can also carry and spread the disease. The NCCP declines the idea of importing or manufacturing a vaccine for the koi pet owners, saying that it will escape to the wild and hamper the efficacy of their CyHV-3 release program.

The NCCP acknowledges that CyHV-3 is not a silver bullet that will eradicate carp. It is expected to kill more than 70% of carp post-introduction, and in the ensuing 1-4 years, the virus and carp will settle into a balance that allows both to survive, but in numbers lower than originally. Their high fecundity would mean swift repopulation, possibly with genetically resistant individuals. So, it can be inferred that there would need to be subsequent releases of more virulent strains as feral fish develop immunity.

At the NCCP stakeholder meeting, a question was raised about whether exposure to CyHV1 and CyHV2 confers immunity to CyHV-3. The current knowledge is that it does not, and so will not affect the efficacy of CyHV-3.

The proposed strains of virus have been trialled with Australian natives, including the more closely related catfish species who have shown no evidence of infection. Another important question was raised about how the virus would behave in a new ecosystem with potentially new hosts. NCCP stipulated that given that it is a herpesvirus, it is unlikely to mutate to infect native fish species. But given that carp has been cultured for approximately 2,500 years, CyHV-3 may have been present but as a benign strain, that only recently mutated (in 1998), could this herpesvirus mutate again?

What would happen if there were massive fish kills? There would be marked decline in dissolved oxygen (which would kill aquatic animals, native and non-native fishes), the release of large amounts nutrient into water (leading to bacterial and algal blooms that will exacerbate poor water quality conditions) and removal a food resource being used by top-end predatory native animals like cod, golden perch and piscivorous birds.

In an audience comprised of stakeholders of

AKA REPORTER8

both scientific and non-scientific backgrounds, the greatest concern for the majority of attendees was the clean-up of fish kills post-CyHV-3 release, and unforeseen releases. The NCCP presented this as a “short-term loss of water quality”. In reality there would be ongoing cyclical mass fish kills with population booms and busts into the future. Clean-up is problematic because dead fish initially sink and the decaying fish can lead to locally extensive environmental damage. Additionally, there are large areas that are inaccessible. For practical reasons

and budgetary constraints, clean-up would be targeted at fish that are floating, and in areas where there is high recreational use, and urban areas. This would leave out large tracts where the rotting carcasses can take weeks to degrade, and threaten other aquatic animals including water birds (e.g. ducks, coots, gulls) and riverine mammals with botulism. There were no estimates on how many birds would die as a direct result of botulism, but it would not be unreasonable to suggest numbers in the thousands (some of the largest bird kills in Australia has been due to

AKA’s 20th Annual Young Koi Show

9.30 am - 1.30 pm, Sun 14 October, at the Club Hall

VarietiesKokaku, Sanke. Showa, Utsuri, Metallic, Non Metallic, Kinginrin, OgonOne entry per variety. Sizes: 250 mm - 399 mm Entries on the day to Show Chairman Paul MiglionicoLunch provided!


botulism), and in an unpredictable, but cyclical nature far into the future. With a sudden die-off of carp, many piscivorous bird species that are largely dependent on carp (e.g. cormorants, osprey) would need to switch to alternate prey. Given the “black water” that would occur with sudden mass fish kills, these birds would have to disperse or starve.

Additionally, such events will make water unfit for drinking and for watering livestock. There may be human health implications with secondary pathogen loads in live fish caught for consumption where dead carp are present.

Resourcing and funding arrangements for release, clean-up and restoration are yet to be discussed, but attendees at the workshop voted with 47% suggesting the local government, 21% the state government, 5% the federal government, 5% the commercial fishermen, 10% the recreational fishers/volunteers, and 5% suggest the emergency response units/military. With a majority expectation of local or state government with taxpayers funding the clean-up operation, it is estimated that it would take 1-2 years for the government to divert funding from other works towards the clean-up. But how much would it cost the different states? Fearfully, no dollar amount has been estimated.

The disease is highly dependent on water temperature and viral dose. The NCCP suggests optimal times for release based on their laboratory studies is when water temperature is steady, between 18-28°C. This would coincide with their spring breeding season, which facilitates contagion. However, the most susceptible age-class being <1-year-old would evade the infection since they are not yet sexually mature. Moreover, this warmer water temperatures coincides with time of greatest users of water bodies (e.g. boating, fishing, tourism) and it is unlikely that they would be permitted to release the virus during this period. If CyHV-3 is released at a suboptimal period, it would not achieve NCCP’s desired outcomes.

But is the 18-28°C the optimal temperature? According to overseas accounts, real outbreaks around the world suggest CyHV-3-permissible temperature is actually 22-25°C (with a range of 15-28°C). A glaring question—do the waters of the Murray-Darling Basin reach this for sustained periods? Moreover, one of the major barriers for native fish breeding cues is cold-water pollution which occurs with periodic unnatural releases of water. The water temperature immediately below dams can be more than 10°C lower than natural during summer, and cold-water pollution

may persist for several kilometres downstream (cod spawn with temperature rising to 20°C, and golden perch spawn with temperature rising to 23°C). If the altered ecosystem’s water temperatures remain low during the prime time for planned release of virus (spring/summer), this would certainly hamper the efficacy of CyHV-3, with carp able to survive and repopulate in warmer and colder areas.

In a study presented by the NCCP, at 16°C, 23°C and 28°C in 4.4 g carp, they found mortality to be 70%, 70% and 50%, respectively. Fish are poikilothermic and research has shown that when faced with disease, they can display behavioural fever. This means that if necessary, they can swim to warmer waters, to boost their immune system to fight infections. Carp can inhabit shallow waters, and this is where they breed. When water temperature rises above 29.5°C, they can mount an immune response, and effectively be “vaccinated” against the virus. Thus, NCCP’s laboratory experiments are highly limited, and are insufficient to replicate what can happen in the natural environment.

There was concern that after removal of carp, there may be other alien species that could take its place in the ecosystem it occupies. Redfin perch, Gambusia and goldfish have been identified as likely candidates. A report complied by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) stated that alien fish species such as the redfin perch, trout and Gambusia pose direct and indirect threats to native fishes through competition for food, and predation for 27 of the 41 native species, but only twice did they mention carp. Where carp was mentioned, the MDBA stated that their impact was “not clear”. Additionally, the MDBA describe goldfish as “benign introduction”, and as a prey-species, they provide food for native fishes. Carp are identical to goldfish in many respects, from behaviour, reproduction, water quality requirements, diet, etc. Thus it would not be justified to say that carp are necessarily evil.

Additionally, redfin perch carry and can spread a more sinister EHN virus (Ranavirus) which has a wide range of susceptible hosts (including rainbow trout), a factor that contributed to the listing of EHNV by the OIE.

There was frequent talk about returning trout (and native fishes) to the water ways. Every year, the NSW and Victorian government and private hatcheries release more than 5 million fully developed salmonids into the Murray-Darling Basin. This does not fit with returning the environment to a natural state.

With the release of the virus come animal welfare implications. CyHV-3 has a highly

AKA REPORTER10

temperature dependent incubation period of 7–21 days. Death results from inflammation and necrosis involving any of a number of organs including the brain, gills, skin, intestines, kidney, spleen and liver. The prolonged disease course means that fish become prone to secondary bacterial or parasitic infections prior to death. Diseased fish would present with lethargy, respiratory distress, swim erratically, and hang near the water surface. The NCCP may pursue research on cortisol levels as measures of stress, to determine the ethics of this method.

Globally, the NCCP have only quoted three instances where viral pathogens have been used to successfully control vertebrate species; feline panleukopaenia, and the rabbit calici and myxoma viruses. But the aquatic environment is quite different to land-based examples and one would not / could not quite extrapolate/infer anything from these even if they were perfectly successful. Here is the question, is the potential for up to 4% improvement of the Murray-Darling Basin to pre-European settlement times, worth the risks of irreversibly introducing KHV into our country?

The safety aspect on non-target species is also concerning. In this set of experiments, various fish species were given bath and IP injections. The mortality rates reported for carp were 64% and 67%, silver perch 24% and 35%, golden perch 42% and 37%, rainbow trout 43% and 100%, and galaxiid 82% (IP not conducted), respectively. The high mortalities in non-target species was dismissed as adverse reaction to inoculation procedure, and any PCR-positive results were reported as contamination due to infected carp being processed in the same room.

Some non-risky ways of returning the Murray-Darling Basin to pre-European settlement times, and harnessing the resource we have in the carp is to invest in food technology sector to develop carp food products, expand and subsidise commercial fishing of carp, daughterless technology, and invest in restoration of all the other major causes of native fish decline (e.g. rehabilitate riparian vegetation, reduce/remove pesticide use and its run-off/drift, install more fishways, support restocking of native fishes).

Additionally, the willing introduction of an OIE reportable disease that has devastated carp farming around the world may have damaging and lasting effects on international trade. A mass die off of fish and its subsequent clean up could pose a financial and ecological disaster, with the effect on water quality causing death and disease in other aquatic and peri-aquatic species and animals that depend on water for food. The

clean-up costs will be bigger than expected, and will mean shunting of funds from other more deserving government works.

The question needs to be asked again, are carp a symptom of, rather than the cause of the bigger picture of alteration and disturbance to natural water bodies?

Already, experiments with the Indonesian strain of CyHV-3 (the C07 strain) has moved from the secure to the non-secure area at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory. An application seeking approval for the use of CyHV-3 is currently being reviewed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The earliest slated release of the virus would be in 2019.

There will be a stakeholder consultation period in September 2018. Australia’s environment minister will make the final decision whether the plan goes ahead. The earliest slated release of the virus would be in 2019. ■

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this letter reflect those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the AVA, the Australian Government or employer institutions.

International scientist condemns NCCP virus proposalA few months back Dr Paula Reynolds, one of the leading experts on the carp herpes virus and fish biosecurity, wrote a letter to the Australian Senate (opposite) warning about the risks of the National Carp Control Plan’s proposal to release the virus in Australian waters.

The NCCP chose to post a response on the NCCP web page, but edited it to remove their apology for misleading Dr Reynolds (there was a link to the full letter in the fine print) about their intentions. The NCCP also failed to post Dr Reynolds letter and warnings. The following is Dr Reynolds response to the NCCP’s public posts relating to her warnings. ■

AKA REPORTER12

Sunday 26th May 2019Sydney International Equestrian CentreSaxony Road Horsley Park NSWOff the M7

The Sydney Koi Show


Pacific Bay Resort is located in Coffs Harbour. It has the largest filtered koi pond I have ever seen with some really nice koi. Koi feeding times are 10 am and 5 pm during winter and it’s a site to see. The pond is surrounded by a coffee lounge, bar and restaurant that leads inside to the Island Courtyard which is under cover and where the 2019 Mid-Northern Koi Show will be held on 31 March 2019.

The Pacific Bay is the largest resort in the Coffs Harbour area. A awesome place to have a holiday with many features. It has a nine-hole par-three golf course, three swimming pools, three tennis courts, spa and Charlesworth Bay Beach. If you ever decide to book into the resort it’s best to phone directly on (02) 6659 7000 and mention where you heard about them and they will give you a well-positioned room.

As well as a Koi Show we will be also holding a Koi Auction on the same day with several exhibitions stands. This Show will create

great awareness of koi in our region of NSW and we are very proud to have the Pacific Bay Resort as the major sponsor of the 2019 Mid-Northern Koi Show.

I will keep everyone posted as the event gets closer.

Until next time... John Irwin ■

AKA Mid-Northern NSW News

AKA REPORTER14

Kate McGill-Andrews

Judging a koi show the size of the Asia Cup is a very unique and valuable experience. It is a rare opportunity to be invited to judge one of these events, involving (unusually) both Shinkokai (koi professional) and ZNA (koi hobbyist) judges. I was delighted to accept the invitation to Jakarta in May this year; neither Ian nor I had been there before, so looked forward to some interesting experiences as well as a great show.

We arrived on the Wednesday evening before the show weekend, giving ourselves at least a day for sightseeing. Thursday, in fact, was all arranged by Wiwie Santosa, an incredibly-able Chairman of the entire event and organiser for all the 41 judges and their entertainment. His wife, Ratna met us, (plus Wilhelm Geldenhuys and his wife, Riana, also early arrivals) with a chauffeured SUV that morning and whisked us off on what seemed like a magical mystery tour. We travelled for at least a couple of hours until we reached a mountainous area where we began to climb for quite some time on narrow roads packed with traffic. We had never seen anything like it, three, sometimes four vehicles across the two-lane road, traffic using the dirt space on either side as well. In between, adding to the total chaos were a myriad of motorbikes, threading their way through wherever they could with seemingly total disregard to the hazards they were facing (photo 1). Up to four people occupied each bike, whole families

with young children wearing no protective gear whatsoever. Other bikes carried such huge loads of various goods; it was impossible to imagine how they could not come to grief, although no one did, that morning at least!

We stopped briefly at a very popular dairy outlet with its own restaurant. The view from this place was spectacular, probably adding to its popularity. After feasting on speciality Moo Moo cake and fried bananas with our morning tea—or various milk shakes as it happened, we continued our drive up the mountain to our final destination—a safari park! Taman Safari Park is famous particularly because it houses the first pandas brought into Indonesia (photo 2). The rest

The 11th Asia Cup 2018, Jakarta

(1) Motorbike mayhem on the way to the safari park.

(2) One of the famous pandas.


of the park however is pretty spectacular, as you drive through the range of wildlife is stunning, most of it roaming quite freely. Antelope and zebra came right up to the car looking for carrots (photos 3, 4), available to buy from innumerable stalls approaching the entrance to the park. It’s quite an experience, patting a zebra! At one point, huge wild cattle almost blocked the road, as we inched past, if one of them had tossed its head, we would have had a nice dent in the side of the car (photo 5). Fortunately, they were very quiet and let us through unscathed. The more dangerous animals like elephants and hippopotamuses were confined behind low electric fences, which they seemed to respect, but you were still so close to some of them—a hippo gaped within a metre of us! The big cats were inside their own enclosures, but loose within them, allowing the visitors to drive past very closely. I don’t think any of us, even the South Africans, had been quite so close to a pride of lions, just sitting on the road!

There is so much to tell about this park; it was an amazing place with all sorts of other fairground-type attractions besides the safari drive. You could easily have spent a couple of days there and still not seen everything. We finished our day with a visit to the pandas, even higher up the mountain in their own very special, (multi-million dollar?) exhibition area including a movie theatre and shop plus many other exhibits. The pandas looked well and were very playful (photo 6), it was interesting to actually see a couple ‘live’, fully grown although still youngsters, they were a bit smaller than I expected.

We finally started home to Jakarta—or so we thought! Our magical mystery tour was not quite over yet, in the local village next to the park we suddenly turned off the main road onto a dirt track—we thought to avoid the glut of traffic on our return journey. It was now dark and as the driver didn’t really seem to know where he was going and did not follow the infrequent hand-painted signs pointing to Jakarta we all became rather agitated. Ratna eventually made a telephone call and out of nowhere a car turned up which we then followed for some distance, eventually turning through some gates into—would you believe it—a huge koi facility, back of beyond!

We enjoyed a look around the lovely koi while our heart rates returned to normal but I think everyone was very glad to finally see the main road home again—it had been a very long, although thoroughly enjoyable day!

(3) Any carrots please?

(6) Why stand up when you can eat lying down?

(5) Do I feel like putting a horn into that car or not?

(4) These antelope got lucky. Carrots were on offer.

AKA REPORTER16

On Friday morning we packed up our belongings and were moved to the event hotel, next door to the actual convention centre, allowing us to walk easily from one building to the other. The size of the convention centre was incredible, spectacularly arrayed with all the Asia Cup banners plus flags flying for every nation participating (photos 7, 8). After lunch, a small group of judges including myself, Mike Harvey and Harry Beckx from South Africa, Allan Bennett (Western Australia) plus Alan Nementzik (South Africa but now in Thailand) participated in an impromptu judging event. We were asked to decide results for various categories in a “grow and show” competition or, as it was listed in the program, a “koi keeping contest” and select an overall winner. Unusually, during the classes, we had to place ten koi, no sinecure I can tell you (photo 9). After number three or four, koi above the last place are quite difficult to grade! It was an interesting exercise however and we all enjoyed it.

After a buffet dinner that night, with all judges in attendance, there was a pre-show meeting organised at which we all learned our teams (seven in total) for next day plus the various categories of koi in the show. The varieties had been organised into four groups (A, B, C, D), each with its own Grand Champion, runner up and Jumbo awards for the over 80 bu sizes. There were also the usual best in size, best mini, baby, young, adult, mature (and others) awards involved for all four categories, for the smaller sizes, a daunting amount of work given a total of 2,500 koi entered into the show! Group A was fairly standard, just Go-Sanke (Kohaku, Sanke and Showa) but the other groups were quite a mixture. Group B included Shiro Utsuri, Goshiki, Kin-Gin-Rin A (Kin-Gin-Rin Go-Sanke), all Kawarimono plus Kujaku. Kawarimono included metallic Kikokuryu/Kin Kikokuryu. Group C comprised Hikarimoyo, Koromo, doitsu Go-Sanke/Shiro Utsuri, Kin-Gin-Rin B and all Tancho koi. Lastly, Group D listed Hi/Ki Utsuri, Asagi, Shusui, Bekko and Hikarimuji. Doitsu versions of Bekko, Utsuri and Hikarimuji were also included in the group. Size categories ranged from ≤15 bu (mini), in 5 cm increments up to ≥80 bu. We also had a rare variety and male champion to select at an appropriate point although I left Ian to select a koi for the AKA Friendship Award (a lovely Kujaku as it turned out). We were told all judges would select the ≥80 bu champions after which, teams were to judge

one group of koi in various sizes, according to a diagram we were given. For example, team 1 were to judge Group A koi in 15 bu, Group D koi in 20 bu, Group C koi in 30 bu, etc. It sounded rather confusing on Friday night but actually worked well next day due to the highly capable coordinators accompanying each team.

Saturday began early with group photographs taken of the judges in our special team jackets (photo 10), after which we sat at two long tables facing each other (photos 11,12) to hear final briefings before judging commenced. Everything was exceptionally well organised, all the ≥80 bu koi were sequestered in only a couple of lines of bins adjacent to our tables and the judges were asked to file past them noting down their selections. This was carried out for each group A, B, C, and D separately. Votes were counted and displayed on screen at all stages. The top five koi in each category earning the most votes were moved to fresh bins (photo 13) and voting continued, reducing the number of koi involved each round until a winner reached a clear majority. GC A was really interesting as final voting was very close indeed between a Showa and two lovely Sanke (photos 14, 15, 16, 17). Everyone was cheering or groaning as the koi they favoured gained or lost a point as the scoring continued, making for a lot of fun, despite the seriousness of the actual task in hand.

Following completion of the major award selections we all split up into our teams and in turn peeled off to judge our designated groups of koi, beginning with the larger sizes actually in the bins (photo 18). For example, my team (7) began with group C koi in 55 bu. Fortunately, our coordinators led us to each bin we needed to visit, otherwise, given the size of the show and the vast number of bins, it would have taken us a lot of time just locating the relevant bin, being less familiar with the layout of the show. Sadly (I thought) this section was very lacking in discussion or any verbal liveliness, I cannot say my team was one made in heaven; apart from Chalermpol (nick-named Tao, from Thailand) they were as dour a lot as a bunch of Yorkshire farmers faced with the horrifying prospect of “parting wit’ brass” (spending money). I guess you cannot win them all and we did get the job done, albeit in almost funereal silence. After a short break for lunch we tackled the hundreds of koi in bags for the smaller sizes (photos 19, 20). Some of the classes had huge numbers of entries and adding to the difficulty of making


selections was the problem that a lot of the bags were not the really clear plastic expected. I think the organisers probably ran out of bags, the number of entries was so enormous. I particularly remember looking over to one of the Hikarimuji classes; my team did not have to judge it, but selecting from what looked like a sea of Ogon must have been incredibly difficult. At least, with bagged koi, you can move shortlisted choices together for final selection, a huge advantage.

Winners in this section were moved to a special grid (photo 22) laid down between the judges’ tables and all of us participated in the top award selection for the bagged koi plus all other categories. Amazingly and thanks entirely (11) Waiting to begin judging on Saturday.

(9) Judging the Grow and Show koi on Friday.

(8) A flag for every country represented.

(7) The huge convention centre.

(10) Some of the international team ready for action.

AKA REPORTER18

(31) The Andrews team.

(20) Judging the very large number of entries for small koi was no simple task.

(19) A sea of bags.

(24) Enjoying the wonderful Gala Dinner.(18) Team 6 deliberates on its decision.

(14) Final vote counting for GC A.

(13) Final contenders for GC awards were moved to separate bins.

(12) Zufyia translates instructions for the judges.


(22) One of the grids for first-place bagged koi.

(16) Runner up Grand Champion A.

(15) Grand Champion A Showa.

(26) Wiwie with the hostesses for the show.

(23) The incredible show team take a bow.

(17) Jumbo A Sanke that lost out by just a couple of points.

(25) The range of koi food available at the show was incredible.

AKA REPORTER20

(27) What a way to celebrate — announcing Grand Champion A.

(28) A very special presentation.

(29) Ian presents the AKA Friendship Award.

(30) The AKA Friendship Award winner.

(32) Grand Champion B Kin Gin Rin Showa.


to the incredible efficiency of the coordinators and innumerable helpers at the show (photo 23), we finished the day more or less on time, despite many of us thinking early on we would have no chance of attending the Gala Dinner that evening; we would still be judging at midnight!

Overall thoughts following Saturday’s judging were mixed. We saw some pretty spectacular koi throughout the day, but unexpectedly, hi quality in general, on quite a lot of entries was lower than I would have looked for. This may be due to the high water temperatures most Asian koi experience, most of the year. Additionally, there was a real problem with the air supply to the bins; the lines were inaccessible to turn off the copious air during judging (especially given the tight judging schedule), resulting in very turbulent water—difficult to see the koi unless they were close to you. Coupled with the fact that every bin was netted throughout the proceedings (these were just turned back while judges visited a bin) and that koi naturally like to hide under the net, amongst the air bubbles, it was no easy task to judge them in many cases. Nets completely removed (as for ZNA and Shinkokai shows in Japan) and accessible air lines with taps might be something perhaps, for the show organisers to think about for next time, although the danger is always a koi jumping out of a bin, especially when water temperatures are higher and the koi more active. Shows in Japan are held in very cold weather when the koi are torpid and unlikely

(33) Jumbo Champion C.

(36) Most Unique Koi award, a Kanoko Kigoi.

(34) Grand Champion C. (35) Group D GC. A near perfect Mukashi Ogon.

AKA REPORTER22

to jump. At the end of the day however, it was a remarkably successful show, definitely hats off to Wiwie and his team for their remarkable organisation. Everything ran like clockwork.

The gala dinner that night, held in one of the convention centre’s ballrooms was a very special event. Wonderful food, free flowing wine and beer and lots of razzamatazz! We were all royally entertained and it was good to relax with everyone (photo 24).

Sunday included several main events, a judges’ seminar for the ZNA attendees, presentation of the awards plus various interesting talks. For example, Shunichi Yoshida (Shinkokai organisation) had the opportunity to promote the 50th Shinkokai show in Tokyo next February. It certainly sounded like a must-visit event, with additional attractions planned including bonsai and sake demonstrations; perhaps even Japanese dancers! There were also promotions from a couple of the companies with stands at the show, for example, there is some amazing koi food now on offer (photo 25), particularly a range including probiotics, apparently giving much improved koi health and growth with reduced waste production. Unfortunately, to date it has proved impossible to gain access for this food into Australia. Our suppliers here have a really tough time trying to get anything new past Customs.

The seminar was its usual controversial self; this time concerning a Kohaku a lot of us placed second and the panel placed last! The koi in question had an excellent strong conformation and good skin quality with a very extensive simple hi pattern. It had one fault, a bi-lobed pectoral fin, possibly from a previous injury. The panel judged this a major deformity and placed the koi last. Many of us did not agree the defect merited such a harsh judgement, certainly I decided it was minor, especially as the small secondary lobe was on the inside of the fin and barely visible. It was a lovely koi, second place was an option agreed by quite a few of the participants. Seminar results are always food for extensive discussion; it is all part of the learning curve. Mr Pan, from China, had very kindly donated the five Kohaku for the seminar, the koi being auctioned afterwards to help raise funds for the show.

Presentation of the awards was quite an event in itself! Beautiful young lady hostesses in elaborate gowns hosted the show (photo 26); each award accompanied by photographs of

the winning koi and owner on the giant stage screen. Quite a few of the judges were asked to make the awards with the head Japanese judges presenting the Grand Champions; GC A kept until last. In between groups of awards we were entertained by troupes of singers and dancers; it was certainly quite different to the usual (fairly-restrained) prize-giving events! Final presentation of GC A was spectacular: all the judges were asked to mount the stage and gold confetti rained down on us! Flag dancers set the scene in front while music played and all the prizes and incredibly large trophy were handed to the winner (photos 27, 28, 29, 30). I have never seen anything like it! I wish we could do something similar for AKA back home! Mentioning it to Ian however, he reckoned our prize-giving and celebration-dinner venue would take a dim view of the mess made by gold confetti—very sad.

The rest of Sunday was spent at the showground, Ian and I trying for some last minute photos before all the koi were taken home (photos 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36). That evening featured another convivial dinner at a local restaurant with many of the show committee as well as other judges staying in Jakarta that night. Hospitality throughout the weekend was legendary—wonderful meals, entertainment and company. Certainly on behalf of the Australian judging contingent, our heartfelt thanks to Wiwie and Ratna plus the rest of the show organisers for looking after us all so well.

Monday saw us packed and checked out by 10 am and rather wondering what to do! Our flight was not until late evening and for once we were not sure what was supposed to happen (although we need not have worried because transport to the airport later in the day was all organised for us). In the end, our group took the hotel bus to the local shopping centre and enjoyed a morning’s look around the shops and a last lunch together before the usual post show parting of the ways, always rather sad, since it can be many years before we meet up again with such a cosmopolitan group from almost all corners of the globe.

Until next time! ■


AKA supplies our Members and the koi-keeping public with our AKA koi food, pumps, nets, test kits and general koi supplies via four outlets across the Sydney metropolitan area.

The Committee has elected AKA Member Mr Anthony Waring to head up our new Supply Team with the aim of covering a broader area of Sydney.

Supplies will be based at the following locations and purchases can be arranged by contacting the AKA member closest to you to arrange a mutual pick-up time.

AKA KOI FOOD & SUPPLIES

NEW OUTLETS

NORTH WEST SYDNEYAnthony WaringMobile 0418 617 627PO Box 6222DURAL DC 2158

SOUTH WEST SYDNEYGordon KilbornMobile 0429 664 91676 Valentia AveLUGARNO 2210

EASTERN SUBURBSJohn RhodesMobile 0415 034 6521357 Anzac ParadeCHIFLEY 2036

WESTERN SYDNEYPhil and Judy ReaMobile 0418 996 226 23 Dakota Place RABY 2566

AKA REPORTER24

Australian Koi Association Inc ABN 91 669 147 584

Membership application/renewalAll details will be kept confidential and will only be used by the Australian Koi Association for the purpose of keeping in touch with you.

Tick appropriate box:New Member application ............................................................. Membership renewal (due 1 July every year) .........................

Fees:Initial application fee (includes club badge) $10 ................. Plus:Membership (includes your family) ................. $30 .................Pensioner (includes your family) ...................... $20 .................Junior (under 16) ................................................... $15 .................Total: Cheque $______ Cash $_______ $___________

Your details:First name _______________________________________________________________Last name _______________________________________________________________Name of spouse or partner __________________________________________________Postal address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________Postcode ___________________Phone number ________________________Mobil number ________________________Email address _____________________________________________________________Pensioner number _____________________Occupation ______________________________________________________________

I apply for membership and agree to abide by the regulations of the Australian Koi Association

Signature ______________________ Date _____________________________________

This form should be mailed with a cheque made out to ‘Australian Koi Association’, to:AKA Membership OfficerDave DurrantPO Box 68St Clair NSW 2759

Enquiries: Dave Durrant on 0414 834 499 or email [email protected]

Supplies available to AKA members

FOOD Flake-Tropical 1 kg $35.00Flake 200 mg $8.00Fry Food 1 kg $20.00AKA Growth Food 5 kg $35.00No.1 High Protein Crumble 1kg $19.00No.2 High Protein Crumble 1kg $19.00No.3 High Protein Crumble 1kg $19.00 Baby Koi Pellets 1kg $8.00Pond Sticks 4 kg $35.00AKA Premium Growth Food 5 kg $45.00AKA Growth Food (small pellet) 5kg $35 Orca Quick Grow medium koi food 10 kg $80.00

MEDICINEMalachite Green 20 gms $30.00Methylene Blue 18 gms $30.00Clean Fish CF 50 1litre $45.00Condy’s Crystals 200 gms $30.00Oil of Cloves 100 ml $30.00

PUMPSSPA Powered Pump 1200 Litres per hour $400XF 171 Davey Pump P.O.A.HIBLOW 20 litre/hour $215.00HIBLOW 40 litre/hour $230.00HIBLOW 60 litre/hour $240.00HIBLOW 80 litre/hour $270.00Aquarium Air Pump $25.00

WATERSodium Thiosulphate 1 kg $15.00

MISCELLANEOUSCarbonate hardness raising 2 kg $6.00Slurpy Pump — fitted for use $180.00‘Virkon S’ broad spectrum disinfectant 250g $25.00

NETS6” Nets $3.0010” Nets $5.00

TEST KITSAmmonia Test Kit $20.00pH Test Kit $20.00Carbon Hardness Test Kit $20.00

Please Note: Members’ orders for supplies for delivery at the monthly meetings are to be in the Tuesday prior to the meeting.

Members ordering supplies for postal delivery should send money order or cheque payable to Australian Koi Association to 85 Quarry Road, Dural, NSW 2158. Please ensure cost of return postage is included.

North West Sydney Anthony Waring 0418 617 627

South West Sydney Gordon Kilborn0429 664 916

Eastern Suburbs John Rhodes 0415 034 652

Western Suburbs Phil and Judy Rea0418 996 226

Supplies by appointment, phone:

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