WAR ON CATFISH

DEFRA and the Environment Agency are waging a war against many of the fisheries in Sussex that stock catfish in their lakes. Some have even been "read their rights" and have been told to remove the fish.

The authorities are claiming they are a non-indigenous species, but in fact, they were first introduced into the country in the 19th century.

Almost every fishery that holds catfish has had a visit from the Environment Agency, but in Kent some fisheries have been given permission to keep them, providing they are away from the flood plains and they cannot escape.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One water was even stocked with cats with the blessing of the EA and they and I were there to see them go in.

In Sussex it is a different story. One fishery asked what it needed to do to keep them. It was prepared to dig a new lake on high ground, fit filters and even fence it in, but they were met with a wall of silence.

Some of the fisheries in Kent that have been told they can keep their cats have major streams close by, but more secure venues in Sussex have been told to remove them.

However, the fisheries are fighting back, employing solicitors to act on their behalf and some are prepared to go to court to keep their cats.

Catfish are a hard fighting species and many anglers enjoy catching them. There is even a Catfish Conservation Group in the country.

Roger Standen