Global climate change

[smalltincup]

Here`s one for you.

 

Now i believe that climate change has affected carp fishing in England. I believe that due to the increase in temperature due to what ever reason, it has meant that the fish are becoming more active through the winter months as the temperatures are not reaching the lows they used to.

 

I have of course not scientific evidence for this, but I have studied Environmental biology (bsc) and coastal and freashwater ecosystems (msc) at universities and I believe that climate change has effected how carp behave in England

 

Does any one else have any ideas on this or is it just me???

 

STC

[poledark]

I do have a small amount of scientific evidence, but can only vouch for my East Kent waters.

 

I take temps 4 or 5 times a week from different parts of lakes and about 4 feet deep, and have been doing this for 5 years here and about 8 years previously in North Kent.

 

Temps went down to usual 38F and lakes froze a few times, but only for a short time, mostly melting during the day.

 

Temps climbed quike quickly to 52+F early March, now that was up a bit on most years, I don't usually expect to see 50F until the end of March...fish liked it though:).

 

So for this year, definitely generally a bit warmer by about 3 degrees I would say.

 

Den

[smalltincup]

Thats what i suspected. Now because I live down here in Devon, i noticed things like the hedgerows stay green alot longer and bumblebees are seen in December. This led me to think that carp may be changing there behaviour to match the change in the climate.

 

This then got me wondering if it was a nationwide thing or if it could be localised to certain areas of England. Therefore if it is localised or not would that alter the behaviour of carp in areas such as Devon or would the effect be noticed nationwide?

 

STC

[carphead07]

hello smalltincarp

 

the only difference that i have noticed is that carp have been much more livley throughout the winter, and never realy thought carp were winter fish

[Steve Burke]

I'm convinced that warmer winters have increased the weight of many species, not just carp.

 

If you look at the coarse fish whose record weights have increased the most in the last few decades (carp, tench, bream and barbel), the one thing they all have in common is that traditionally they're all fish that rarely fed in the depths of winter.

 

Of course there are many other reasons why fish are getting bigger, but I believe that the 2 main ones are warmer winters plus enrichment by phosphates/nitrates. On some waters cormorants are an important factor as well.

 

I'm also certain, that whilst they play a part, HNV baits aren't the main cause. Indeed, I know waters that are almost never fished, let alone with HNVs, where the fish are very much bigger than years ago. My own waters are Wingham are another example - there's very little fishing pressure and thus little bait going in. Thus my fish have grown big on largely natural food - of which there's plenty!

[smalltincup]

Hi Steve

 

Interesting had forgotten about phosphates/nitrates, these if my memory servers me, are related to algae growth and alike, therefore providing a food source for aquatic invertibrates which the carp would feed on??

 

I would assume that due to the increased use of fertilizers and the heavier rain storm, the saturation point of the soil would be reached far quicker therefore it would increase leaching form the soil and hence the introduction of phosphates/nitrates to the aquatic environment.

 

Now assuming this and the fact that water can retain heat longer than earth (one of waters properties) this would indicate that invertibrate growth would be greater and for a longer period and hence more food for the carp. Coupled with this the fact that water temperature may be warmer by a few degrees and the introduction of bait (which can not be ruled out) would lead to large/faster growing fish.

 

STC