The Birmingham Anglers Association has clarified its stance on zander and now insists that the predator must be protected and returned alive on all its waters.

The move has been made amidst growing pressure from members about fish being taken for the pot. This is normal practice in much of eastern Europe – and there are many BAA members of Eastern European origin.

Up until this month, because zander are an introduced rather than a native species, there was a grey area as to whether the species could be taken.

BAA secretary John Williams said: “The rule change means no fish whatsoever can be taken from waters under our control. There are a number of eastern European members who will not like this, as they join simply for the purpose of putting zander on the table for tea.