Anglers' fury as fish are taken from canal

Fishermen were left furious after fish were taken from a Black Country canal to boost stocks in a reservoir in the Peak District.

British Waterways has netted the fish from Tividale Quays, telling anglers they are being moved 70 miles away to Toddbrook reservoir where people are charged to fish.

Furious residents believe that it could have a devastating effect on wildlife in the area.

The netting took place last week on the Upper Birmingham canal, which runs through Oldbury.

Fred Rich, aged 59, of Paganel Drive in Dudley, said: "We have seen them stunning the fish using electroplating, then taking them away. Fish from Toddbrook reservoir were put into the canal network in the Midlands when it was drained, but not into the section now being netted. It doesn't seem fair that they are taking our fish to replace them.

"British Waterways has sent us an email explaining that they can make money by charging people to fish there. Apparently they have a licence to remove 9,000lb of fish."

Mark Woodley, aged 39, of Monins Avenue, is a recruitment consultant and father- of-two, Zak, four and Lily, five.

He said: "I have two small children and I love taking them fishing — there is a real community feel. We often have barbecues in the summer. This is a canal basin where fish gather to spawn. It seems there is no real reason for this other than money."

In an email to the residents seen by the Express & Star, Carl Nicholls, fisheries and angling manager for British Waterways said carp have been left in the canal, but other species, including bream and tench, have been taken away.

He said: "At the end of last year British Waterways had to completely drain one of our reservoirs for major works to the valves at the base of the dam.

"This required all the fish to be removed and rehomed. The fish were rehomed in Midlands canals.

"The works have been completed and has now refilled and we are in the process of restocking it."

British Waterways was unavailable to comment further today.