The Environment Agency has restocked an Oxford lake with more than 2,300 fish on the 1st of Febuary.A further 2,600 fish, including chub, tench and dace, will also be put in rivers across the area, including the Thames, the Thame, the Cherwell, the Ock and the Marsworth Moat in Tring throughout the day. The fish population in Hinksey Lake was devastated in 2005 after an algal bloom wiped out thousands of fish. Large blooms of the blue-green algae died out late in the summer, causing the oxygen levels in the lake to crash, killing tench, roach and common bream. But the lake has since undergone a number of habitat improvements, including the installation of floating reed islands, angling platforms and disabled angling platforms. These were carried out by the Environment Agency, in partnership with Oxford District Angling Association and Oxford City Council. The Environment Agency is now hoping that by re-stocking the lake, as well as the other rivers, it will aid the fish populations and encourage more fishing along these stretches. Andy Went, a fisheries officer at the Environment Agency, said: “Hinksey Lake suffered from a devastating algal bloom two years ago, and it seriously decimated the fish, and fishing opportunities, in the local area. “But by reintroducing these fish today, we hope to boost fish populations, and help in assisting the recovery of the lake and much of wildlife in it. “We also hope it will encourage more people to come to Hinksey Lake and take part in angling, which is a fantastic way to enjoy a great sport while getting closer to nature. We have already held highly successful junior angling days at the lake and are planning to hold more in the future. “The reintroduction of the other lakes and rivers is taking place as part of our commitment to restoring fish populations in the area.” The fish have come from an Environment Agency fish hatchery in Nottingham, and are being transported today in time for the restocking. |
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