As articles on fish and fishing are extremely popular on the blog, I’ve included a large number of photos in this post. They give an excellent impression of the fish demonstration activity that was part of the International Biodiversity Day that was held at the Pond earlier this year.
John Sutton, a Fisheries Team Leader at the Environment Agency, writes:
My colleague, Adrian Bicknell, and I were delighted that the Environment Agency’s Fisheries Team was asked to participate in the Biodiversity Day. It was a great opportunity to show visitors some examples of the Pond’s fish community.
The best way to do this is by holding a sample of fish in a mobile aquarium we mount on the back of a trailer. We captured specimens for the tank earlier that morning using electrofishing equipment – a technique we routinely use during our scientific surveys of fish populations. Our gear has been specially designed to minimise damage to fish in order that they can be returned to the river after we have collected data.
Please note that electrofishing equipment can only be used with the prior consent of the Agency.
Our catch on the day was made up of pike, carp, tench, roach, perch, rudd and bream. It was striking how many of the fish were found either in or on the edge of the reedbeds. Hardly surprising when you consider the range of fish eating birds! The lack of habitat diversity and refuge areas in the open water of the Pond is a continuing cause for concern and that’s why the Agency is a keen supporter of the project to improve water quality at the site.
It was great to have a constant stream of visitors interested in our display. Many of the youngsters and the parents enquired about angling at the Pond. We were able to provide them with basic information and I very much hope they will come back with their rods – the fishing season started on 16 June.
If you want further information about the fish population of Fleet Pond or general queries about fisheries then please don’t hesitate to contact me: john.sutton@environment-agency.gov.uk
Practically nothing better than a fishing joke. My friend just shared this joke with me:Mother to daughter advice: Cook a man a fish and you feed him for a day. But teach a man to fish and you get rid of him for the whole weekend.