 | A canal turned a shocking shade of green as algae bloomed suddenly in the intense heat but the fish population is still thriving says an angling club leader. A section of water near Mildenham Mill Lock on the Droitwich barge canal off Egg Lane, near Claines on the outskirts of Worcester turned a bright, lurid shade of green on Tuesday. |
The transformation of the canal has been attributed to the hot weather which has caused the algae to bloom suddenly.
However, a prompt response from the Canal and River Trust, bailiff Mark Hardman who identified the problem and Lee Brisker, who holds the fishing rights at Mildham Fisheries, has helped protect the fish which live in the canal.
The canal is home to a variety of species including bream, tench, roach, rudd, eels, pike, perch and chub. If oxygen levels dip suddenly (which can be a result of the algae), fish can die as happened in Worcester last year.
Has reported last June how hundreds of fish died in a canal in Worcester as oxygen levels, many floating to the surface. The deaths were caused when oxygen levels in the water dropped at the Birmingham Canal near Blockhouse Lock in Worcester due to soaring temperatures and thunderstorms.
Lee Brisker of Brisker's AC said Carl Nicholls from the Canal and River Trust had been 'outstanding' in his response to the situation on the Droitwich barge canal, monitoring the oxygen level in the canals because of the algae which is 'fine for fish at the moment'. He also said thanks must go to the bailiff for spotting the issue early.
However, he said if there was a thunderstorm it could create problems as this could cause the algae to die and sink which could lead to a fall in the oxygen levels in the water.
He said the situation was being closely monitored. The Canal and River Trust has aerators to help oxygenate the water although Mr Brisker said he had invested in his own in case the trust became overwhelmed.
"At the moment the oxygen levels are really high and the fish are okay. There are about 10 different species of fish in that canal, mainly bream and roach. The fish population is absolutely outstanding down there. It's arguably the best fishing spot in the West Midlands. It's a lovely section of canal," he added.
Mr Brisker said there had been problems with algae there before but not for a few years and that the algae could bloom suddenly in hot weather. The algae covers a 50 yard section of the canal.
He added: "If the weather breaks it will help us. I should imagine by the end of next week it will disperse and it won't be as bad. We are just waiting for nature to take its course."
A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust said: "Blue green algae is naturally occurring and where it is present, typically only in the summer months, our advice is to avoid contact with it.
"It doesn’t impact boating but we advise people to wash their hands if coming into contact with the water, for example, if handling wet ropes. We advise dog owners to keep their dog on a lead and to avoid contact with the water."
However, a prompt response from the Canal and River Trust, bailiff Mark Hardman who identified the problem and Lee Brisker, who holds the fishing rights at Mildham Fisheries, has helped protect the fish which live in the canal.
The canal is home to a variety of species including bream, tench, roach, rudd, eels, pike, perch and chub. If oxygen levels dip suddenly (which can be a result of the algae), fish can die as happened in Worcester last year.
Has reported last June how hundreds of fish died in a canal in Worcester as oxygen levels, many floating to the surface. The deaths were caused when oxygen levels in the water dropped at the Birmingham Canal near Blockhouse Lock in Worcester due to soaring temperatures and thunderstorms.
Lee Brisker of Brisker's AC said Carl Nicholls from the Canal and River Trust had been 'outstanding' in his response to the situation on the Droitwich barge canal, monitoring the oxygen level in the canals because of the algae which is 'fine for fish at the moment'. He also said thanks must go to the bailiff for spotting the issue early.
However, he said if there was a thunderstorm it could create problems as this could cause the algae to die and sink which could lead to a fall in the oxygen levels in the water.
He said the situation was being closely monitored. The Canal and River Trust has aerators to help oxygenate the water although Mr Brisker said he had invested in his own in case the trust became overwhelmed.
"At the moment the oxygen levels are really high and the fish are okay. There are about 10 different species of fish in that canal, mainly bream and roach. The fish population is absolutely outstanding down there. It's arguably the best fishing spot in the West Midlands. It's a lovely section of canal," he added.
Mr Brisker said there had been problems with algae there before but not for a few years and that the algae could bloom suddenly in hot weather. The algae covers a 50 yard section of the canal.
He added: "If the weather breaks it will help us. I should imagine by the end of next week it will disperse and it won't be as bad. We are just waiting for nature to take its course."
A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust said: "Blue green algae is naturally occurring and where it is present, typically only in the summer months, our advice is to avoid contact with it.
"It doesn’t impact boating but we advise people to wash their hands if coming into contact with the water, for example, if handling wet ropes. We advise dog owners to keep their dog on a lead and to avoid contact with the water."
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