Central Coast Council is encouraging the community to join the fight against one of Australia\u2019s most damaging invasive species by taking part in this year\u2019s Carp to Croc. This fun, purpose-driven fishing competition educates participants on waterway health while putting catches to good use by turning them into nutrient rich fertiliser or donating them to the Australian Reptile Park (via BCF Tuggerah) for crocodile and alligator feed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This month-long event begins with a free community launch at the Wyong Milk Factory on Saturday 28 March 2026, followed by a fishing muster running from 28 March to 26 April. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna, will officially open the event at 10.15am, followed by rod-rigging, flyfishing and electrofishing demonstrations, carp fertiliser how-to sessions and roving reptile demonstrations from the Australian Reptile Park. After the launch, community members will be encouraged to head to nearby Woodbury Inn Park and start fishing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mayor McKinna said the event is a fantastic way to bring environmental action and community spirit together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCarp are a significant problem in our waterways, impacting native fish species, biodiversity, aquatic plants and overall water quality,\u201d Mayor McKinna said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Carp to Croc event is a fun and interactive way for the community to come together and be part of the solution by helping to manage carp and build resilience of native fish populations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom experienced anglers to those casting a line for the first time, we encourage everyone to get involved, have fun and make a difference.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said it is encouraging to see the fishing competition return for another year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEuropean carp are one of Australia\u2019s most damaging aquatic pests, degrading water quality and making up as much as 90% of biomass in NSW rivers,\u201d Mr Loader said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLast year\u2019s fishing competition showed how powerful community action can be in protecting our waterways, with almost 300 carp removed thanks to more than 100 local fishers. This year, we believe even more can be taken out of our environment. And thanks to our continuing relationship with the Australian Reptile Park, we can ensure those caught aren\u2019t wasted but are used as a sustainable food source for reptile exhibits.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Event details: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year\u2019s competition kicks off at the Wyong Milk Factory (141 Alison Road, Wyong) on 28 March (10am\u20131pm) with a free, family-friendly launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Event highlights: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following community feedback, this year attendees will be encouraged to head to Woongarrah Waters or Woodbury Inn Park after the launch, where there\u2019s ample space for everyone to cast a line and get fishing! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The muster competition will be run through the Fish Donkey app, with more details to be announced at the launch event and on Council\u2019s Facebook event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information, search \u2018Carp to Croc<\/strong>\u2019 at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au<\/strong><\/a> or visit the Carp to Croc Facebook event. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Central Coast Council is encouraging the community to join the fight against one of Australia\u2019s most damaging invasive species by taking part in this year\u2019s Carp to Croc. This fun,…","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9588,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-9587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-events"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Carp-to-Croc_2026_MediaRelease-1300x768-copy.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/feed\/podcast\/coffee-with-a-coastie","embedCode":"Fishing for a Cause: Join the ‘Carp to Croc’ Muster to Protect Our Local Waterways<\/a><\/blockquote>