Environment Agency Warns of Threat Posed by Invasive Carp Species in the UK

by Fishery News

Cambridgeshire, UK: The Environment Agency has issued a warning about the presence of an invasive species of carp that poses a significant threat to native fish populations across the United Kingdom. The agency’s Fisheries Laboratory in Brampton, Cambridgeshire, is actively investigating suspected cases of Prussian carp, a species native to Asia, central, and Eastern Europe.

According to Gareth Davies, a non-native species technical specialist at the Environment Agency, Prussian carp have been detected in various locations in England over the past decade, with seven sightings recorded since 2020. This invasive species has the capability to reproduce rapidly, as the female’s eggs can be fertilized by other species, leading to the rapid spread of the carp.

Davies emphasized the detrimental impact of Prussian carp on native fish and biodiversity, highlighting the urgency of addressing their presence in UK waters. Despite bearing a resemblance to other fish species, researchers at the Fisheries Laboratory have identified distinctive silver rings around the eyes of the Prussian carp as a key distinguishing feature.

Emma Nolan, team leader at the laboratory, stressed the importance of reporting any sightings of Prussian carp to the Environment Agency to mitigate their spread. She highlighted the laboratory’s critical role in monitoring and detecting new and emerging diseases in fish populations, emphasizing the potential devastation that non-native species or diseases can inflict on aquatic ecosystems.

Funded by rod license fees, the Fisheries Laboratory conducts essential research into invasive species like the Prussian carp, aiming to safeguard native fish populations and preserve the ecological balance of UK waters.

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