This activity provides opportunities for students to construct a timeline to record the origins and history of distribution and spread of an exotic pest fish species (e.g. carp) based on current knowledge. Students then make predictions about its future distribution and impact.

Estimated time: 2 x 45 minutes

Materials and guest speaker

Information on the introduction of carp to Australia; Student resource i.2 - Priority species

‘DPI notes’ on noxious fish (see Links)
Information on the historical distribution of other pest fish species
Stationery – sheet of A3 card, various colouring resources, printing equipment
Guest speaker from local Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) office or representative of the local Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) group

Teaching strategies

Background

The aquarium industry has boomed in Queensland since the early 1960s. The number of accidental and intentional releases of exotic freshwater aquarium fish into natural waterways has increased. Carp spread naturally from China to Europe and were first introduced to Australia in the 1850s. However, they did not begin to spread until the mid-1960s, when a more voracious hybrid variety was introduced. In some parts of Australia, the history of local infestation has been well documented.

Working scientifically

(I: making and judging observations, U: analysing)

Students working in groups of four scan the resources to extract important dates and place these in order on a timeline. Students create an appropriate caption for each entry for an exotic pest fish (e.g carp).
Information on the introduction of other pest fish species could also be added to the timeline.
Teacher uses the timeline to lead into a discussion about the factors that might control or limit the extent and rate of the species’ spread.
In groups, students generate 10 questions they would ask an expert about this species and the distribution and spread of other pest fish. These could then be discussed with the guest speaker in part 5.
Students invite a local QFS officer or ICM Group representative to talk about relevant aspects of exotic pest fish species, including information on a local species.

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Student activity i.3 Introductory

Making a timeline

Outcomes

Focus

Materials and guest speaker

Teaching strategies

Background

Working scientifically

Student activity i.3
Introductory