03/08/2005 - Due to the
large number of carp dying in and around the
River Weaver, the Environment Agency has placed
a temporary ban on all coarse fish movements
in Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester.
The Agency is working non-stop to uncover
the mysterious cause of the carp deaths. Since
May at least 200 fish have died, and the results
of the scientific analysis by the National
Fisheries Laboratory does not point to any
known disease or infection.
The Agency is asking angling clubs to be
extra vigilant by not allowing members or
non-members to move fish from one site to
another. This is an illegal activity without
written permission from the Agency.
Requests for movements of trout will be looked
at carefully, but applications will be rejected
if there is any chance that the movement could
represent a further risk. These measures will
continue until the cause of the carp deaths
can be established, and a strategy implemented
to counter it.
During this period the Agency’s fisheries
officers may need to collect fish for scientific
or emergency purposes. If fish need to be
collected or moved, the Agency will ensure
that any environmental risks are minimal.
Anglers and the public can support the Agency
by reporting carp deaths.
Notes
The Environment Agency is responsible for
regulating the movements of fish to inland
waters within England and Wales. This means
that anybody wishing to introduce fish into
an inland water is required, under section
30 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries
Act 1975, to obtain the written consent of
the Agency prior to the introduction taking
place.
The Environment Agency is also responsible
for consenting the use of instruments, such
as electro-fishing equipment or seine nets,
used for the purpose of taking fish. This
duty is carried out under the Salmon and Freshwater
Fisheries Act 1975 and National & Regional
Byelaws.
