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Hampshire fishery lakes to be poisoned to kill Topmouth Gudgeon | Hampshire fishery lakes to be poisoned to kill Topmouth Gudgeon |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Several lakes at a fishery in Hampshire are being poisoned to wipe out a highly invasive species of Japanese fish that can spread disease to salmon and trout. | |
Topmouth Gudgeon are believed to have entered British waterways in the 1980s but only recently become widespread. | Topmouth Gudgeon are believed to have entered British waterways in the 1980s but only recently become widespread. |
The Environment Agency removes native species from the water and then adds poisons - the treatment it is to carry out at the FLE Fishery near Romsey. | The Environment Agency removes native species from the water and then adds poisons - the treatment it is to carry out at the FLE Fishery near Romsey. |
But some fisheries have said the treatment affects livelihoods. | But some fisheries have said the treatment affects livelihoods. |
The Environment Agency said the tiny fish was a "significant threat" to the ecology and wildlife in UK waters. | |
The FLE fishery in Romsey is not connected to the river system, where trout and salmon live. | |
However, there is a risk the population of Topmouth Gudgeon could spread if no further steps are taken. | |
If the species were to enter the Tadburn Lake which connects to the River Test, a parasite called rosette agent could affect the salmon population. | |
The FLE fishery will remain open for business during the treatment, with one lake being treated at a time in a two-stage operation, ending in April. | The FLE fishery will remain open for business during the treatment, with one lake being treated at a time in a two-stage operation, ending in April. |
The agency will try to remove as many fish as possible from the lake before putting in the piscicide Rotenone. | The agency will try to remove as many fish as possible from the lake before putting in the piscicide Rotenone. |
Critics say the poison stays in the waterways for months and sometimes years. Some businesses also say the method impacts on future business and fish stocks. | Critics say the poison stays in the waterways for months and sometimes years. Some businesses also say the method impacts on future business and fish stocks. |
However, the Environment Agency said Rotenone was a "naturally occurring organic substance" that did not affect mammals or birds. | However, the Environment Agency said Rotenone was a "naturally occurring organic substance" that did not affect mammals or birds. |
It said the chemicals would break down within a "few weeks" and they would monitor levels of chemicals to ensure the treatment has been effective. | It said the chemicals would break down within a "few weeks" and they would monitor levels of chemicals to ensure the treatment has been effective. |
According to the Environment Agency, Topmouth Gudgeon can carry infections and parasites which can wipe out entire populations of native fish. | According to the Environment Agency, Topmouth Gudgeon can carry infections and parasites which can wipe out entire populations of native fish. |
Topmouth eat the eggs and larvae of native fish and out-compete native fish for food and habitat. | Topmouth eat the eggs and larvae of native fish and out-compete native fish for food and habitat. |
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