Fish wiggle into the Wandle
Environment Agency fisheries teams have released hundreds of young fish into the River Wandle in south west London.
The nine-mile long river is now the new home for fish species including barbel, chub, roach and dace, thanks to the annual stocking programme led by the Environment Agency with help from Morden Hall Angling Club.
The fish were delivered direct to site by the staff who reared them at the Environment Agency’s Calverton Fish Farm near Nottingham. They have been grown and adapted for life in the wild.
The River Wandle between Beddington and Merton was badly affected by a major pollution event in September 2007. The river was subsequently restocked in December 2007 after assessments by scientists showed that the river’s ecology had recovered enough to support fish.
Tanya Houston, an Environment Agency fisheries officer, said: “This was an extremely successful restocking and it was great seeing so many new fish introduced to the River Wandle, which was so badly affected by pollution three years ago.
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| Volunteers from Morden Hall Angling Club with Environment Agency fisheries officer Tanya Houston |
“The River Wandle is a prime example of providing an amenity for local anglers while creating and enhancing the environment. We know that the fish we have stocked in the past have always flourished in this area.
“It will be some years before the fish in the Wandle return to the size and number they reached before the incident in 2007. The Environment Agency will continue to work in partnership with the Wandle Trust, Thames Water and others to monitor the recovery of the river and seek opportunities for enhancements.”
The Environment Agency has also been working closely with anglers, landowners and regulators to find opportunities to further improve habitat along the river. This will provide shelter for smaller fish in high flows and help protect them from predators and pollution events.
More than 500 re-stockings are carried out by fisheries staff every year. Stocking of fish can bring socio-economic and conservation benefits to fisheries by increasing the numbers and species of fish available for capture, or by restoring stocks lost due to pollution or habitat degradation.
South London lake receives early Christmas stocking filler
The first stage in restoring fish stocks in a popular Clapham lake began this week when Environment Agency fisheries staff re-stocked it with 800 young fish.
Mount Pond on Clapham Common has suffered from poor water quality in recent years, which resulted in the death of dozens of carp in 2007 and 2008.
The £100,000 joint project between the Environment Agency and Lambeth Council has seen it de-silted and planted with new reed beds to improve water quality and habitat for fish, amphibians and insects.
While this work took place earlier this year dozens of carp were moved to a temporary home 500 metres away in Long Pond, but can only be reintroduced when the weather improves as ice is currently covering Long Pond.
Fish used to re-stock the pond on Monday (December 13) were bred at the Environment Agency’s fish farm near Nottingham and species included tench, roach and crucian carp. It is hoped they will grow over the next few years in the newly improved pond, creating a good mixed fishery for both beginners and experienced anglers. Staff from Lambeth Council also helped with the restocking.
Emma Barton, an Environment Agency fisheries officer, said: “The introduction of these young fish to their new home was an exciting moment in the final stages of this project. We hope that the weather improves soon so that the carp can return home and mark the opening the pond for angling once again.”
Work has just been completed to introduce extra fishing platforms, landscape the pond’s banks and improve the central island by thinning out trees, and with the water quality now improved the fish can be re-introduced. Mount Pond is one of the very few free fisheries available to anglers in South London. Part of the project is funded directly by income from rod licences issued to anglers and this work will enable the pond to remain a popular location for angling.
Cllr Florence Nosegbe, Lambeth Council Cabinet member for Culture, said: “It’s great to see the fish being returned to Mount Pond as it will help ensure the pond remains a haven for lots of interesting wildlife including fish, amphibians, birds and insects, as well as somewhere visitors to the Common can enjoy to the full.”
The Mount Pond restoration scheme was funded with £55,000 from Lambeth Council, £26,000 from the Environment Agency through rod licences, and £20,000 from a planning agreement from the Clapham Common South Tesco development.
