ENVIRONMENT AGENCY BANS FISH MOVEMENTS TO SAVE CARP

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 Tel 0800-80-70-60-