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Thousands of dead fish discovered at city 'lake of death'

30/7/2017

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Thousands of dead fish have mysteriously floated to the surface of a city lake popular with anglers - weeks after the authority said the water was ‘NOT hazardous’.


Bream, perch, tench, eels, roach and carp have been found dead at Salford Park, in the shadow of Spaghetti Junction and the remains of swans and birds have also been uncovered close to the lake in Nechells.

Fisherman Krisstian Smith made the grim discovery when he visited the park on Wednesday, weeks after he first raised the alarm of worrying algae in the water. He also said he had witnessed seagulls ‘falling from the sky’ after drinking the water.

Krisstian, who has fished at the lake regularly over the past four years, said it was normally ‘crystal clear’ and filled with fish.

But at the time, Birmingham City Council moved to reassure residents the lake was safe and ‘not hazardous’.

Steve Hollingworth, Birmingham City Council’s Service Director for open space and wellbeing, said: “Although the water is cloudy, it is a naturally occurring algae bloom and is not hazardous.

“We are satisfied that it is safe.”

Krisstian said: “I knew something was wrong at the start of June when there was a difference in the clarity of the water - which is usually crystal clear. My first thought was that it was blue green algae, which can be harmful to humans and animals. I reported it to the council who said it was safe. But this week, I was heartbroken to see thousands of dead fish and the few that remain are gasping for air.

The lake is usually full of bream, perch, tench, eels and carp. There is even a catfish in there. I would say around 90 per-cent of those are now dead. The pool is very popular with anglers but I doubt match fishermen will want to go there now On Tuesday, the council came down to remove the dead fish and aerate the lake but it’s too little too late.”

A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said: "The naturally occurring algal bloom, which is not hazardous but had made the water cloudy, has now dissipated. This caused a reaction which takes oxygen out of the water, putting the fish in distress. Following advice from the Environment Agency, two pumps have been brought into oxygenate the water and this process will continue until we are satisfied that the pool and fish are settled."
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National Fishing Month 21st July 2017 - 3rd September 2017

20/7/2017

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Starting on 21st July National Fishing Month aims to encourage every family member to have a go at fishing. It does not matter what age you are, or what previous experience you have. 
Nor does it matter which cultural or social background you may be from. Fishing is for everyone!

By attending an organised event this summer during the National Fishing Month Silver Jubilee, you could experience the joys of fishing yourself.

​Enjoy yourself, get outdoors and get healthy – take part in a National Fishing Month registered event and follow thousands of young people, parents, grandparents and friends who enjoy quality family time together at the waterside over the holiday period. Book your place now at www.nationalfishingmonth.com
​
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Jamie Hughes creates Fish O' Mania history by becoming the first angler to win it for a third time.

9/7/2017

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Jamie Hughes created Fish O' Mania history by becoming the first angler to win it for a third time. 

Hughes, champion in 2013 and 2015, destroyed the 24-man opposition in the 2017 tournament at Cudmore Fishery, Stoke to collect a £50,000 first prize with a total catch of more than 26k.

​The 34-year-old angling coach from the Wirral shrugged off a slow start to power into the lead with a succession of big carp. Once in front, Hughes, determined to win it for a third time, was in no mood to let it slip.

An emotional Hughes told Sky Sports: "It's incredible, it will take a while to sink in." Angling Times columnist Keith Arthur commented: "This is almost Usain Bolt stuff."

​Hughes was a clear winner over runner-up Andy Power who made an astonishing late run in the last hour to finish second and clinch the £10,000 prize ahead of Ross Harold and Steve Jackson.
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Army of volunteers help crack down on illegal fishing: now 474 anglers have joined the Angling Trust’s Voluntary Bailiff Service

7/7/2017

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The fight against illegal fishing has received a massive boost with the recruitment of an additional 150 anglers to the Angling Trust’s Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS).

Following induction days held in six regions throughout the 
past three months, there are now 474 volunteer bailiffs operating in England who act as the “eyes and ears” on riverbanks and lakes, reporting suspicious incidents and providing crucial information to the Environment Agency and police. The VBS is funded from rod licence money and began as a pilot project in the South East in 2012 following a formal partnership between the Environment Agency and the Angling Trust. It was rolled out across the country 12 months ago and now has 115 volunteers in the South East, 58 in South West, 51 in North West, 80 in North East, 90 in the Midlands and 80 in the Eastern region.

The volunteers receive training from Environment Agency enforcement officers and the Trust’s Fisheries Enforcement Support Service – a team of eight retired police officers, six of whom also manage the VBS network in their regions.

Volunteers also have the opportunity to attend joint patrols with the Environment Agency and police, understand the law and are trained in reporting what they see and hear to a high evidential standard.

Dilip Sarkar MBE, the Trust’s National Enforcement Manager, said: “We have come a very long way since the pilot project was launched and now have a sound foundation to take this further, increase engagement and provide more practical training. With nearly 500 volunteer bailiffs, their presence on riverbanks and lakesides will make a difference, both in reporting suspicious activity and deterring people from committing an offence.”

Graeme Storey, the Environment Agency’s national fisheries manager, said: “The vast majority of anglers do the right thing and buy a fishing licence; however, there are some people that try to evade buying a licence. Last year, enforcement officers checked more than 53,000 licences and prosecuted over 2,300 anglers. Our VBS carry out vital work and now having 474 VBS officers on the ground will create even greater deterrence.”
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Illegal fisherman from Walsall fined

6/7/2017

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An illegal fisherman caught without a rod licence has been taken to court and fined.
James Morrison, aged 29, of The Chartway in Pelsall was fishing on February 4 at Badden Hall Pools in Eccleshall.

North Staffordshire Justice Centre Magistrates' Court heard that he was found without a rod licence, to which he pleaded guilty to under Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.

He was fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £127 and a victim surcharge of £30, making the total penalty £457.

Andrew Eardley, of the Environment Agency, said: "I can't understand why a minority of anglers continue to risk prosecution for fishing without a licence. A licence costs just £30 and now lasts for twelve months from the day you buy it. Fishing licence money is invested into England's fisheries and rivers; improving the sport of angling.

"The minority of anglers that fail to buy a fishing licence are cheating their fellow anglers and the future of the sport. Fishing licence cheats risk a criminal conviction, a significant fine and could lose their fishing equipment."

Children under 12 are allowed to fish for free. Anyone aged 12 to 16 can also fish for free, but they need to have a valid Environment Agency fishing licence.

Anyone aged over 16 must pay for an Environment Agency fishing licence to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England.

Anyone witnessing illegal fishing incidents can report it directly to the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

Information on illegal fishing and environmental crime can also be reported anonymously to Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Walsall youngsters hooked on life away from crime thanks to fishing

4/7/2017

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Walsall youngsters have been reeled away from a life of crime by getting hooked on fishing.
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The Fishing Academy charity was initially started with just a handful of unruly youths from Brownhills in 2004 but now 

works alongside up to 30 schools across the West Midlands to offer support and guidance to young people aged between 12 and 16.

It runs an angling and education programme for young people at risk of getting caught up in anti-social behaviour or exclusion from school. 

Incredibly just two per cent of schoolchildren have broken their contract of good behaviour after attending the programme with others going on to roles in the fishing industry and waterways as a result of what they learned.

The scheme is the brainchild of Darren Robbins, who was a PC for 30 years and is now a staff member at West Midlands Police.

He said: "It is hard to believe how the programme has grown; it started off with myself working with a small group who were involved in anti-social behaviour in Brownhills.

"Fishing is an enjoyable pastime, in tranquil surroundings, offering a period of contemplation while learning new skills. It is the largest participation sport in Europe and is available to everyone, regardless of mental and physical ability. I saw there was an opportunity to use it to help keep young people on the straight and narrow, away from bad influences.

"We place a lot of emphasis on the education side; we cover all of the core skills such as English and maths. An example of this is calculating how many fish they have caught, the total weight and the average size of those fish. They then record this information on their own spread sheet.

"It is a great feeling when you hear about someone who was at risk of getting drawn into crime or anti-social behaviour but gets their life back on track as a result of the charity. It's also great to see the demand for places from young people just wishing to learn how to fish in a safe and welcoming environment. It shows we are making a difference."

The academy, now based in Abbotts Bromley in Staffordshire with funding from the police, council and Environment Agency, has a fishing lake and classrooms for mentoring and education purposes. The programme is tailored to those who attend and has so far helped more than 6,000 youngsters. 

It is now also expanding to pupils who are not considered at risk of being drawn into crime but youngsters who express an interest in angling or it is believed will benefit from the interaction of the initiative.

And the combination of fishing and education is aiming to net even more success in the coming years.

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Fish 'O' Maina XXIV - Saturday 8th July 2017

2/7/2017

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The 2017 event will see an increase in the number of finalists from sixteen to twenty five.
 

The match is fished to Angling Trust match rules with some 
local rules applying including no floating baits to be fed, barbless hooks must be used and no use of floating pole.

The competitors are weighed in every 30 minutes and at the conclusion of the five hour match, the angler with the greatest aggregate weight of the ten weigh-ins, will be declared the champion.
​

WINNER
£50,000
RUNNER-UP
£10,000
LADIES WINNER
£1,000
JUNIOR WINNER
£1,000

​Live: 

​Fish-O-Mania on Sky Sports 3 - 12:00pm
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