The Environment Agency carried out a fish rescue after the severe storms that hit Devon and Cornwall left the wooden tidal lockgates at Bude damaged and leaking.
Severe winds and high tides lashed the wooden lockgates at the mouth of Bude Haven in North Cornwall on the 10th March. The large lock, once used to allow ships into the canal from sea ferrying sand and other products inland is now an important amenity area. The Bude canal has become a significant fishery and other forms of recreation.
A major concern was for the hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of fish in the canal belonging to the Bude Canal Angling Association.
The damage to the lock allowed water to rush out of the canal to sea. Following the construction of a dam in the canal to stop further water loss the Environment Agency’s Ecological Appraisal Team based at Launceston successfully undertook a fish rescue saving many highly prized fish.
The specialist team saved over 100 fish including 13 carp up to 20lbs in weight, bream, perch, 60 roach, a sea trout and 10 eels, which were transferred to a safe area for monitoring prior to be re-stocked by the local angling club.
‘Our staff are not just trained to do routine work but also save fish during incidents and emergencies of this nature,’ said Trevor Renals for the Environment Agency.
‘Helping the local community in this way is really rewarding. The team were thanked by local businesses who kindly provided refreshments’ during the day.’
