Barstons KHV infection

[GeoffNo1Participant]

Ive just been on to the EA and this is the email I’ve received from them.
Hi Geoff

In answer to your question, when fish are ill they need rest, fishing a water that has the disease will only stress the fish more. Also there may be a chance that you pass the infection on to other waters that you may fish at a later date.

My personal advise is NO do not fish while it is infested. Please see statement from EA below.

The Environment Agency does not have the powers to close down fisheries infected by the virus, they have advised all infected premises to cease angling and add their own biosecurity measures to ensure that the disease is contained

[TF_Hollo]

I must say I was quite concerned when I read it and they said they are continuing to allow fishing. I know it’s their livelihood but what about the fisheries nearby that anglers are fishing both. I suppose infection is almost inevitable and the disease will soon be national. (If its not already)

[daiwadavidParticipant]

Personally i think this is totally irresponsible and continuing fishing shows a lack of regard to angling in general. I see there is a match there 21st october with anglers travelling who will as mentioned take it round the country. Does this venue provide landing nets and keepnets if not its the least they should do.

[madforit]

As long has the nets are dried properly then it should be ok..

[madforit]

[madforit]

Have a read of this before continuing to slagg the place…

https://www.total-fishing.com/CoarseForum.asp?Action=View&ID=3E0B11C8316640499C8B0956A1B8E864&Page=6

[daiwadavidParticipant]

Read it already. Not slagging no one as yes the guy is up front. Fact is it ought to be shut for his own fish welfare and that of others. You will be saying next let people walk through farms and hope they dry their boots!! Needs containing

[Anonymous]

This virus works on a time cycle and usually lasts for approx 14 days after a fishery has been hit by it..As Barston first had problems relating to this quite a few weeks ago i would imagine that the worst is over and the virus has been and gone.
This is backed up by the fact that Nigel has reported no more fish showing any signs of bad health,therefore i cant see a problem with anglers continuing to fish at this venue.

In fact i fished a drennan match at Barston last saturday and didn’t see any dead fish or any fish showing signs or stress and it fished quite well on the day.

[TF_baitchefParticipant]

Woody I don’t think the virus comes & goes. From what I can gather, fish that do not show symptoms & die can still carry the disease. It also appears that these carrier fish are pretty much as healthy as non infected fish. Therefor anybody fishing an infected water must still be vigilant.

[Anonymous]

baitchef,once a fishery has been affected by the virus,the fish that survive then become immune to the virus..yes,they can still carry it but what i meant literally is that the virus has taken its cycle at the fishery and any survivors should now be fit and healthy fish and the fishery can now carry on as normal.
Yes,vigilance should still apply,anglers can do their bit by thoroughly drying their nets out before visiting another fishery.

[TF_Nigel.]

This is how it happened. I found a dead fish some 6 weeks ago, around the 15th of August, the day after a thunderstorm. The following day a half a dozen, followed by another half dozen. No big concern, untill the following 3 days i collected over 30 a day, at this point i called the EA, who turned up a couple of days later. They took a sample away of 9 carp, and after 2 weeks (the Virus has to grow in the lab) they called to say it looked like i had KHV. I had my conformation leter last Tuesday (3 days ago). I posted on TF right away, and spoke to the press too. (who knew the same time i did).
I am not picking any fish up now, (200 plus lost, up to 15 lb) and havent for over a week. I couldent close, as i didnt even know what it was untill it was all over!
The river flooded in in july, in the floods, and it seems this is how it entered the lake. But it could be transfered by wildfowl, probably in there faeces.

I think i have got off lightly comapered to others.

[daiwadavidParticipant]

Nigel,Yes it does seem so and personally i am glad you have,nobody can doubt your honesty and integrity. However wouldn’t it have been better to close until the EA got back with the results? I realise it is your livelihood and it could have been for nothing. Obviously wildfowl species is uncontrollable.
Glad you seem to be over it now.

[TF_Nigel.]

I had no idea it was KHV!
I thought it was a Disolved oxegen crash during the storms of 13th and 14th of August. I found fish the folowing day.
It appears that weak fish due to the KHV, sit on the bottom, and sit in the reeds, picking up lice and parasites, making them even weaker, and the shock of the thunder storm gave them heart attacks and finished off all the weak fish.
But it was only 3 days ago i knew it was KHV, and there is no point closing now, as its over!

I wouldent close either from losing a few fish, all fisheries lose fish at times.

[Steve Beavan]

Nigel, as a fishery owner, how do you calculate fish ‘turn over’ from natural causes during the year?

I’ve always assumed that most dead fish sink?

[FORDY 1Participant]

Most of them do untill they gas up and float.

[TF_Nigel.]

If i had sheep in a feild i could count them ever day! lol

Fish, no idea, cormorants, herons, gulls as well as mink are eating fish day in day out, so you never know what your stock is. Match results are the best tell tail sign.
As Fordy says, they do float eventualy (most, not all) as the bacteria stays alive in a dead fish, (but not the parasites or lice) so as the bacteria multiplies, it floats the fish.

[GeoffNo1Participant]

Nigel i was suppose to be fishing the intersite on the 7th oct because i was conerned i decided to withdraw but only after i was given information form NFA. I honestly appload you for your honnesty and wish we had a lot more like you but i would not go against the advice i asked them for. Ive asked for my peg to be paid for and the rest to the charity it was ment for and as soon as I am told it alright to fish from the NFA i will be there for a pleasure session.

[madforit]

Geoff

”as soon as I am told it alright to fish from the NFA i will be there for a pleasure session”

So according to NFA, when will/should that be ?

[TF_Nigel.]

Do you mean the EA?

[TF_carpcruncherParticipant]

geoff , your probably fishing waters with it already in mate!! As a responsible angler the best thing you can do is dry your nets and landing nets after each session.

[TF_simon-e]

I think Nigel is one of the best fisheries owners that i have had the pleasure to meet.
OK i don’t like the way he has re pegged his lake but at the end of the day it is his lake and its looked after very well.
The bivvy boys are a pain in the arse for the match anglers but pay very good money to fish, so they are always going to be welcomed with open arms by the owners.
Keep up the good work Nigel and when i get my license back next march you will be seeing me very often.

[TF_Cutnut]

OH MY GAAD he’s getting his licence back in March….Keep off the streets! 😉

[GeoffNo1Participant]

Nigel this is who gave me the advice.
Roy Retallick

Director (Environment & Conservation)

National Federation of Anglers

21 Alstone Road

Canal Hill

Tiverton

Devon. EX16 4LH

Phone -:- 01884 256721

Mobile -:- 07703 595225

e-mail -:- [email protected]

-:- [email protected]
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