Joe Fletcher
No Longer a Member
The following comments, from correspondence with the EA this week, are posted to keep you informed and for you to share as you see fit:
‘A number of the more sensitive species including barbel will be very susceptible with the current high temperatures. This poses a risk to fish stocks as oxygen is less soluble in water at high temperatures and as a result it is harder for fish to recover if caught. We (the EA) are aware of other sections of the River Trent/Clubs who have decided to stop fishing currently. We (the EA) are aware that the temperatures are set to increase again (met office forecast) so the river temperature will remain high for the next week at least.’
The EA go on to say ‘So whilst fishing, (if you feel you really must), take especial care over fish welfare, particularly for more sensitive species, which includes barbel. Take particular care when playing (the right balanced set up), landing (resting in the net) and releasing (resting again) fish during warm weather, as they are already under stress from the high water temperatures and the associated reduced dissolved oxygen content of the water. Unhook fish in the water if possible and only take them out of the water for unhooking if absolutely necessary. Take photos in the water - keeping a fish in the air, even for a few seconds, can greatly reduce its chances of surviving after capture.’
So folk, in conclusion, limiting further stress to our barbel is sensible. Ultimately however, the decision to fish or not is down to the individual. I personally will refrain from fishing at this time.
‘A number of the more sensitive species including barbel will be very susceptible with the current high temperatures. This poses a risk to fish stocks as oxygen is less soluble in water at high temperatures and as a result it is harder for fish to recover if caught. We (the EA) are aware of other sections of the River Trent/Clubs who have decided to stop fishing currently. We (the EA) are aware that the temperatures are set to increase again (met office forecast) so the river temperature will remain high for the next week at least.’
The EA go on to say ‘So whilst fishing, (if you feel you really must), take especial care over fish welfare, particularly for more sensitive species, which includes barbel. Take particular care when playing (the right balanced set up), landing (resting in the net) and releasing (resting again) fish during warm weather, as they are already under stress from the high water temperatures and the associated reduced dissolved oxygen content of the water. Unhook fish in the water if possible and only take them out of the water for unhooking if absolutely necessary. Take photos in the water - keeping a fish in the air, even for a few seconds, can greatly reduce its chances of surviving after capture.’
So folk, in conclusion, limiting further stress to our barbel is sensible. Ultimately however, the decision to fish or not is down to the individual. I personally will refrain from fishing at this time.