I
Ian Cloke
Guest
FISHING has been banned indefinitely at Haverhill's only free venue following a viral outbreak that killed scores of koi carp.
The ban has been introduced at the Castle Playing Fields pond after the virus broke out in late June, killing an estimated 50 to 60 carp.
Following the discovery of the dead fish the Environment Agency sent water samples for laboratory testing ? the results of which are now known.
A spokesman for St Edmundsbury Council, which owns the pond, said: "Tests have shown the fish were affected by the koi herpes virus, which can occur when the fish are under stress, for example when the weather is very hot and there is less oxygen in the water.
"We have closed the pond for fishing for the rest of the season to lessen the stress on the fish and will review the situation next year after taking advice from the Environment Agency.
"There are enough koi remaining in the pond for the population to build up its numbers again."
The disease has not affected the other breeds of fish in the pond, which include roach, gudgeon, rudd and crayfish.
Haverhill Park Rangers have now put up signs banning fishing and will visit the pond regularly to enforce the ban.
The loss of the pond means anglers will have to pay to fish at the flood park, which is licensed to Haverhill Angling Club.
The ban has been introduced at the Castle Playing Fields pond after the virus broke out in late June, killing an estimated 50 to 60 carp.
Following the discovery of the dead fish the Environment Agency sent water samples for laboratory testing ? the results of which are now known.
A spokesman for St Edmundsbury Council, which owns the pond, said: "Tests have shown the fish were affected by the koi herpes virus, which can occur when the fish are under stress, for example when the weather is very hot and there is less oxygen in the water.
"We have closed the pond for fishing for the rest of the season to lessen the stress on the fish and will review the situation next year after taking advice from the Environment Agency.
"There are enough koi remaining in the pond for the population to build up its numbers again."
The disease has not affected the other breeds of fish in the pond, which include roach, gudgeon, rudd and crayfish.
Haverhill Park Rangers have now put up signs banning fishing and will visit the pond regularly to enforce the ban.
The loss of the pond means anglers will have to pay to fish at the flood park, which is licensed to Haverhill Angling Club.