Post by wnion on Jul 27, 2006 8:01:44 GMT -1
Environment Agency urges anglers to help protect fish in summer heat
Written By: Lyn Fraley
On Date: 27/7/2006
The Environment Agency is appealing for experienced local anglers to help protect fish in rivers and pools from suffering during the hot weather by spreading good practice among fellow anglers and discouraging the use of keep nets.
In two recent incidents at Shrewsbury and Tenbury Wells, fish are believed to have died because they were kept unnecessarily in keep nets.
Fisheries Technical Officer Andy Roberts said “Unless you are taking part in a competition, keep nets are just not necessary and, in these hot weather conditions, they can cause fish to die, either in the net or shortly after release.
“The rivers are quite low and the water temperatures are warm. These are not good conditions for fish to be kept in keep nets and we would ask anglers to think whether putting fish into a net is really necessary.”
“Experienced and responsible local anglers will already know this, and can really make a difference by spreading the word among fellow anglers, especially visitors who may not know the damage that badly used keep nets can do.”
River levels continue to fall during the recent very warm and dry weather. Warm, shallow water holds less oxygen, leaving fish vulnerable to stress, suffocation and disease. This is especially true of shallow water near the banks where keep nets are used.
With low river levels, the water may barely cover the fish and keep nets allow no escape from the discomfort. As well as the increased risk of suffocation and disease, distressed fish may struggle and damage themselves.
Andy Roberts added: “No responsible angler would want to cause distress to fish. We urge anglers to return fish to the water as soon as possible.”
MORE INFORMATION Contact Lyn Fraley on 0121 711 5829/5855
(these numbers can also be used during an emergency to contact a duty press officer)
Written By: Lyn Fraley
On Date: 27/7/2006
The Environment Agency is appealing for experienced local anglers to help protect fish in rivers and pools from suffering during the hot weather by spreading good practice among fellow anglers and discouraging the use of keep nets.
In two recent incidents at Shrewsbury and Tenbury Wells, fish are believed to have died because they were kept unnecessarily in keep nets.
Fisheries Technical Officer Andy Roberts said “Unless you are taking part in a competition, keep nets are just not necessary and, in these hot weather conditions, they can cause fish to die, either in the net or shortly after release.
“The rivers are quite low and the water temperatures are warm. These are not good conditions for fish to be kept in keep nets and we would ask anglers to think whether putting fish into a net is really necessary.”
“Experienced and responsible local anglers will already know this, and can really make a difference by spreading the word among fellow anglers, especially visitors who may not know the damage that badly used keep nets can do.”
River levels continue to fall during the recent very warm and dry weather. Warm, shallow water holds less oxygen, leaving fish vulnerable to stress, suffocation and disease. This is especially true of shallow water near the banks where keep nets are used.
With low river levels, the water may barely cover the fish and keep nets allow no escape from the discomfort. As well as the increased risk of suffocation and disease, distressed fish may struggle and damage themselves.
Andy Roberts added: “No responsible angler would want to cause distress to fish. We urge anglers to return fish to the water as soon as possible.”
MORE INFORMATION Contact Lyn Fraley on 0121 711 5829/5855
(these numbers can also be used during an emergency to contact a duty press officer)