Peterborough and District Angling Association team from Spalding spearheads major fish kill incident
The clean up operation for a major incident in which 100,000 fish have been killed by a chemical spillage is being spearheaded by a Spalding area angling club.
Rob Harris, chair of Peterborough and District Angling Association, became aware of major pollution in the Goldie Lane area of the River Nene near Ferry Meadows, Peterborough.
It happened on Tuesday (December 12) and the club’s volunteers were in attendance attempting to aid in saving as many fish as possible.
This has been devastating news to the P&DAA, after what has been a positive year for the club.
Mr Harris said: “Seeing fish lying on the bank dead – the sight of it was shocking.”
The Environment Agency and Anglian Water are continuing investigations into the incident.
Prior to this, the angling club had been having a more successful time – having taken control of fishing rights on the River Welland.
Bailiffs are now helping to deter anti-social behaviour and a litter picking campaign is helping to improve the riverside in Spalding. The club also won Angling Times club of the year award.
Another event that has been a success has been a Fur and Feather match on Sunday (December 10) in Spalding where the group visited the Lincolnshire Poacher.
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Mr Harris said: “We have had a successful year up until the fish kill.
“Essentially we are not just an angling club – we have to move with the times.
“From a socially responsible point of view we want to give back.”
The club also has the aim to encourage angling to youngsters, to sustain wildlife in the area and improve accessibility to those less abled and children.
Mr Harris said: “We have a coaching pond in Peterborough and we want to to offer the same opportunities in Spalding.
“We want to provide safe places for kids to learn how to fish.
“A safe environment and sustaining angling for the future.”
With a meeting planned on Monday (December 18) with South Holland District Council, the club’s chair is keen to show that they work with police, councils and organisations such as the Environment Agency.
He added: “Angling is sadly in decline so we are very keen to improve habitats, to see where we are at with the council and see how we can help each other.
“Our bailiffs, who are all volunteers and follow a code of conduct, have deterred hotspots for drugs and anti-social behaviour.
“I grew up in Spalding and I don’t want to see angling deteriorate.”
Anglers must have an Environment Agency licence in order to fish but in addition to this require a permit from P&DAA which then also provides insurance and deters rule-breaking.
You can sign up by visiting: https://pdaa.tygit.com/shop/groups/pk/f4c1e5417f1a23d6912d96c0126f0b7a
Anyone who would like to volunteer to help P&DAA in the area can email pdaacommittee@outlook.com.
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