Anglers catch on to saving water to protect fish this summer

Anglers catch on to saving water to protect fish this summer

Written By: E.A. Press Officer
On Date: 19/5/2006

The Environment Agency is calling on anglers to save water this summer in order to protect fish. With a hot, dry summer, and the south east of England facing possibly the most severe drought of the last 100 years, low water levels will mean fish are at a higher risk from the drought this summer.

"When you go fishing at your local lake or pond this weekend, take a look at the water level. If you are in south east England you will probably find it is a lot lower than you would expect. This is because we have had 19 months of below average rainfall," Dafydd Evans (Head of Fisheries) said.

"Drought means there is less water for fish to live in, causing overcrowding and vulnerability to disease and predators. Hot weather also increases the risk of algal blooms, which can lead to less oxygen in the water, which in turn causes fish to die.

"It?s usually ok to fish during a drought, but anglers and managers of fisheries should pay careful attention to how the fish are behaving. If the fish appear to be distressed, ensure you contact the Environment Agency with details and please find an alternative fishing venue.

"Anglers can help by saving water in their homes and at work. We often don?t link the water we fish in with the water we use in our homes, but water is abstracted from rivers and from groundwater which can then lower water levels in lakes and ponds.

"Next time you go to wash your car, why don?t you leave it another week and go fishing instead," Dafydd Evans said.

The Environment Agency is urging anglers to look out for fish that are distressed. This might mean fish staying in one place near the surface of the water, gasping for air; swimming very slowly in large groups, and obvious over-crowding. Dead fish are easy to spot, as they float on the surface of the water.

Fish are a vital part of the ecology of our rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, and their health affects other wildlife. Dead or dying fish can pollute water and the fish themselves experience distress.

If you see dead, dying or distressed fish, call 0800 80 70 60

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Notes to Editors:

1. How does drought affect fish in the long-term?

It is hard to predict the long-term implications of drought on fish. Numbers of fish fluctuate naturally with varying environmental conditions. Fish populations are robust and have survived severe droughts in the past.

2. Which types of fish are most affected by drought?

Certain types of fish (for example, coarse fish) are more resilient then others, but severe drought will affect all fish. Salmon, trout and grayling are typically most vulnerable to low river levels, which may prevent them from reaching traditional spawning areas and reduce the amount of living space for their young. During hot weather, these fish are also particularly vulnerable to death caused by low oxygen levels.

3. How will drought affect salmon in our rivers?

An extended period of drought may reduce salmon numbers in any river. Salmon depend on good water flows in rivers to help them complete their life cycle. When water levels are unusually it is difficult for salmon to swim to rivers from the sea to spawn and it is difficult for young salmon to swim to the sea from rivers.

4. I have seen dead fish. Is it because of the drought?

Drought may be to blame if temperatures are high, leading to less oxygen in the water, or if the water level has dropped and the fish are over-crowded. However, some small streams and ponds naturally recede in the summer, so drought may not be a factor. And like all animals, fish may also die from old age, disease, breeding difficulties or a polluted environment. If you see a lot of dead fish in one place, call our emergency hotline number, 0800 807060.

5. Why should we care about fish in a drought?

Fish are a vital part of the ecology of our rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, and their welfare affects other wildlife. Dead or dying fish can pollute water and the fish themselves experience distress. Angling is a big sport in England and Wales and it depends on healthy stocks of fish to continue.

6. Can people still go fishing during a drought?

It?s usually OK to fish during a drought, but anglers and managers of fisheries should pay careful attention to how the fish are behaving. If the fish exhibit unusual behaviour, such as swimming very slowly in large groups or appearing to gasp for air at the surface, then please don?t fish. Fishery managers should consider restricting the use of keep nets and ground baiting during the hottest periods of a drought.

7. What can I do to save my fish from drought?

If it?s an emergency, call our hotline number, 0800 807060. We advise people in charge of lakes and ponds with fish in them to plan in advance how they will help ensure the safety of their fish should an emergency arise. For advice on this type of planning, ring the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506 and ask to speak to your local fisheries officer

8. What is the Environment Agency?s fish rescue policy?

We respond rapidly to all reports of dead, dying or distressed fish in rivers, streams, reservoirs, lakes and ponds. Depending on the scale of the problem, we will either provide advice or go to the area in question to try to prevent more fish from dying, either by aerating the water or helping to move fish to a safer location.

9. Will fish passes be closed if the drought worsens?

No. By law, fish passes must always be open as long as there is water to pass through them. If you see a fish pass obstructed in any way, call our emergency hotline, 0800 807060.