As a result of an Environment Agency Wales initiative, officers captured a number of illegally stocked fish following information received from concerned members of the public. A number of carp, some weighing more than 10kg were removed from the recently-created Lamby North Lake near Rover Way, Cardiff.
In a joint operation with Cardiff County Council and Cardiff Harbour Authority, four specimen carp were then released into Cardiff Bay Barrage Lake last Friday (31 May), where it is hoped they will flourish.
The illegal movement of fish, in particular carp, has been responsible for a large number of substantial fish mortalities in England and Wales in recent seasons. This is because the transferred fish can carry disease strains which are not harmful to them but which can be fatal to fish not previously exposed to them. The removal of such fish from enclosed waters without the owner’s consent is a criminal offence, constituting a theft. With fish of this size, which can realise several hundred pounds each, the financial loss can be significant.
Because of these concerns Lamby North Lake was netted by Agency staff last week (27 May) with the full co-operation of Cardiff County Council. Four large carp and a quantity of smaller fish including carp were removed and placed in a quarantine facility. A sample from the fish removed was sent to the Agency’s National Fisheries Laboratory to undergo a health check to screen for disease. They received a clean bill of health.
An Agency spokesperson said: “We are pleased that Cardiff County Council and Cardiff Harbour Authority have supported our course of action here. We believe that these fish will flourish within the Bay and add to the considerable angling potential at this promising venue.”
A spokesperson for Cardiff Harbour Authority commented: ” We are keen to assist the Agency in clamping down on illegal operations and also to provide a home for healthy fish in a safe and public environment. The Bay has become a breeding ground for fish and will provide a suitable habitat for the carp”.
Two men arrested in possession of 20-pounder
In a separate incident also involving the illegal transfer of carp, two men were apprehended with a live 10kg carp in their possession as they left a well known local stillwater in the Newport area. The specimen fish had been taken with rod and line and the Agency believes it was destined for a water close to Cardiff. Both men were arrested, all tackle and equipment seized and a prosecution is pending. An Agency spokesman said: “People who commit offences such as these, which pose a serious threat both to the welfare of important fish populations and a blatant disregard for other people’s property, can expect the Agency to rigorously enforce our full legal powers.”
