Hundreds of dyed fish released in the River Loddon

Hundreds of 'dyed fish' have been released into the River Loddon by the Environment Agency in a bid to boost population and track the movements of certain breeds.

Over 300 marked barbel fish were placed in the Whistley Mill area on the Reading and District Angling section near Twyford and are distinguishable by a small blue dye ‘dot’ in between the pectoral fins.

The purpose of the this ‘winter stocking’ is in response to complaints from anglers about declining fish numbers.

As well as barbel, roach, dace and chub have been fed into the Loddon.

The 18 month-old fish have been bred at the Environment Agency’s Calverton Fish Farm near Nottingham as part of a two-year project in a project between the Environment Agency and Loddon Fisheries and Conservation Consultative.

The dye is released via a small needle which is slid under the scales of the fish.  

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that the process is harmless.

“The fish are anesthetised in an isolated oxygenated fish tank for a few moments while they are marked and then recover quickly in clean oxygenated water.   

“No dye leaks off the fish after it has been administered as it is trapped under the scales and is not harmful to water.”

This is the second time in recent months that hundreds of marked fish have been released in local waters and funding has come from rod license income.

The outcome of this exercise will determine future breeding requirements as long as keen anglers report back.

Anglers are being asked to photograph and record their catches and to also measure weight, length, how well the fish are growing, survival rates and how far they are travelling up the River Loddon and log details at ‘Report a Barbel’ at www.lfcc.org.uk.

In response to this exercise Dawn Carr, director of vegan projects at Peta said:

“The Environment Agency apparently hasn’t read up on how to protect the environment, which involves respecting fish for who they are and their role in nature, not supplying them for anglers’ amusement – and the agency should end its wildlife meddling immediately.

“Fish are not sports equipment – they’re sensitive animals.

"PETA reminds people that they can enjoy the great outdoors in many ways that don’t involve hunting in the water or on land. It’s time to support local wildlife groups and to swap the fishing rods for litter pickers and look for discarded nets, lures, hooks, and tins to clean up.”