Paul Gainey - 24-Aug-2007
- The Environment Agency is investigating
the death of approximately 15,000 fish on
the River Stour following a pollution incident.
The Agency first received reports of dead
fish last Wednesday and sent officers to
investigate the river at Sturminster Mill
upsteam of Hinton St Mary where they found
several dead and dying fish including roach,
chub and pike.
This was hampered by high river flows and
failing light which meant only small numbers
of fish were found. The officers returned
at first light to continue their investigations,
concentrating on determining the source
of the pollution. Early indications suggest
pollution from farm run-off.
It now appears that organic pollution moved
downstream through the Caundell Brook and
River Lydden (tributaries of the River Stour)
and killed the fish. The pollution was diluted
by the rising river levels and greater flows
in the main Stour and coincided with a period
of heavy rain.
Investigations have continued all week
and as the rivers levels have receded more
dead fish have been found. Officers are
trying to trace the source of the spill
and have visited several farms on the Caundle
Brook, River Lydden and River Stour.
Current estimates suggest that more than
15,000 coarse fish (predominantly chub,
roach and perch) have died. Work is underway
to recover and dispose of these fish.
‘We are currently focussing on identifying
the sources of the pollution and are investigating
the impact on the invertebrate community.
A number of agricultural farms and industrial
units are under close inspection,’ said
Andy Martin for the Environment Agency.
‘Clearly this incident will be of great
concern to the angling community as a significant
number of fish have died. Over the coming
weeks we will be assessing the full impact
on the ecology of the river and considering
options to enable the river to recover as
soon as possible.’
+ More
Environment Agency closes net on rogue
fisherman
Paul Gainey - 22-Aug-2007 - A handful of
unscrupulous fishermen plundering bass stocks
on two Cornish estuaries could soon find
their luck has run out!
During rough weather a small number of
licenced and unlicensed fishermen have been
setting illegal nets in the sheltered waters
of the Fal and Helford. Both estuaries contain
bass nursery areas where it is an offence
to fish for bass from a boat at certain
times of the year. The restrictions were
introduced to protect young fish.
In a new move, the Environment Agency has
teamed up with the harbour authorities at
St Mawes, Falmouth and Truro, Cornwall Sea
Fisheries and the Marine Fisheries Agency
in a bid to bring the offenders to book.
‘By sharing intelligence with other agencies
we are increasing our effectiveness and
maximising our chances of detecting illegal
fishing in these important bass nursery
areas. There are only a small number of
rule breakers who deliberately flout the
law,’ said Mark Pilcher for the Environment
Agency.
‘As our intelligence grows we are in a
better position to prosecute persistent
offenders and seize and destroy their gear.’
‘We are keen for the local fishing community
to work with us. They understand we are
only targeting a minority of fishermen who
don’t play by the rules and through their
illicit activities are putting local bass
stocks at risk,’ said Mark Pilcher.
Spells of unsettled and stormy weather
has seen an increase in reports of illegal
netting this year. Instead of putting to
sea, offenders have turned their attention
to sheltered estuaries in search of rich
(but illegal) pickings.
The bass nursery area laws in the Fal and
Helford are in force from April 30 to January
1. The Environment Agency is responsible
for enforcing sea fishery byelaws on Cornish
estuaries and has a regulatory role on marine
species such as bass, cockles and prawns.
Cornwall is one of the few areas in the
country where the Agency has a duty to police
regulations relating to seafish and shellfish
as well as salmon and sea trout.
Members of the public can help by reporting
possible illegal netting to the Environment
Agency hotline 0800 80 70 60.
