Rehabilitation of urban lake fisheries for angling by managing habitat: general overview and case studies from England and Wales

Rezensierter Artikel

In industrialised societies, angling provides a major recreational activity which creates high social and economic benefits. Urban fisheries in particular offer great potential for increasing angling opportunity. Many urban lakes and ponds, however, are situated in places such as city parks and industrial areas which has led to environmental problems of eutrophication, siltation, the absence of suitable fish habitat and poor angling quality. Not only has this resulted in low aesthetic value but the potential of these lakes as an angling resource was not being fully realised. A recent initiative promoted by the Environment Agency in England and Wales has identified lakes suitable for rehabilitation and an urban fishery development programme is now in place. This paper describes problems with urban stillwater fisheries and gives examples of the type of mitigation and enhancement measures that have been carried out. The primary techniques for physical habitat improvement in lakes include management of aquatic macrophytes, installation of artificial structures, desilting and adjusting the profile of the banks. Typical measures included floating reed rafts, restructured lake margins and fish refuges. Although such physical modifications were a key component of rehabilitation, it was also important to address the social context by raising awareness of issues amongst fishery owners and anglers in order to establish on going commitment to effective management. It is doubtful, however, that habitat rehabilitation alone can solve all the issues that impact on fishing quality in urban water bodies and a variety of management approaches might be needed to achieve desirable outcomes for all stakeholders.

Hickley, P., Arlinghaus, R., Tyner, R., Aprahamian, M., Parry, K., Carter, M. (2004). Rehabilitation of urban lake fisheries for angling by managing habitat: general overview and case studies from England and Wales. Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology, 4, 365-378


Veröffentlicht : 2004
Erschienen in : Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology, 4, 365-378