Little Sea Carp Removal, Studland

Tender description

The contract is to remove and appropriately dispose of as many common carp and mirror carp as possible during 2023 from the ecologicially sensitive and highly designated Little Sea lake within the Studland Dune system, part of Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve. Carp were illegally introduced to the lake around 15 years ago, prompting serious ecological degradation of a sensitive aquatic ecosystem. Work to remove the carp commenced in 2014 and is ongoing. Various methods have been trialled, with trammel netting found to be the most effective. All work requires strict biosecurity measures to be adopted, and close liaison with National Trust ecologists and site managers. Funding has been secured through the Dynamic Dunescapes-DuneLIFE project for further carp removal in 2023. Full details of the background to the project and the work required are in the attached Request for Proposal; costed proposals should be sent to kurt.sparkes@nationaltrust.org.uk by 14th April 2023.