Anglers' fury as dead fish found in canals

Hundreds of dead fish have been discovered along a stretch of newly-stocked waterways in Wolverhampton. Angry anglers are demanding action following the discovery of hundreds of dead bream, perch and roach in two city canals.

Environment Agency bosses have visited the worst-hit area at Autherley Junction, known locally as Cut Corner, at Oxley, to investigate but said it was too early to pinpoint the source of the pollution.

The discovery was made just days after 6,000 fish were released into canals and pools across the region. The move was taken in a hope to encourage more anglers.

Colin Cotterill, a father-of-five from Oxley, was among several local fishermen who raised the alert on Saturday.

"I was cycling along the towpath at Autherley Junction at around 9.30am and saw about 30-40 fish dead or dying in the water," he said.

"I spoke to one angler who said he'd only caught one fish all morning when normally you would expect to catch at least 20, maybe 30."

Also badly hit was the Shropshire Union Canal near Pendeford where fisherman Mick Thomas pulled a 3ft-long dead pike out of the water.

The 52-year-old from Pendeford said: "It's distressing to see. I saw the pike floating belly-up about two or three feet below the surface. It must weigh at least 20lbs. The pollution has got to be severe to kill a fish that size.

"If this has been caused by a chemical spillage from any of the local firms, accidental or not, they should be taken to task."

Boater John Houghton, moored near Wolverhampton Boat Club on Barnhurst Lane, Pendeford, followed a trail of dead fish along a mile-and-a-half stretch of the canal. "Whatever has killed them, it must be pretty strong to affect so many," he said.

Environment Agency spokesman Sam Todd confirmed hundreds of fish had been found dead in the Shropshire Union Canal as well as the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal in the Wolverhampton area.

"We have taken samples of water to determine the nature of the incident and hope to make an initial analysis next week," he said.

By Marion Brennan