Following reports from local anglers about dead fish at Stowe Pool, our parks team has been working closely with the Environment Agency to investigate.
The Environment Agency has identified a common parasite, likely Gyrodactylus sprostonae, as the main cause of the recent fish deaths and it’s possible that illegal introduction of fish into the water may have contributed to the spread of this parasite.
Although there is no cure it is hoped that the fish in Stowe Pool may develop resistance and adapt to the infestation.
There is no reason to believe that the current water conditions present an elevated level of risk to local residents or their pets but it is recommended that neither residents nor their pets drink from the pool.
To support the recovery of the local fish population, Lichfield District Council Parks Team is exploring ways to improve the habitat at Stowe Pool and is, in the meantime, asking anglers to help by:
- Not fishing in Stowe Pool for the time being, where at all possible.
- Not introducing fish into Stowe Pool (or any other local waterbody) without permission.
Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Parks and Waste, Councillor Phil Whitehouse, said:
“The death of fish in Stowe Pool has been distressing so I’d like to thank the parks team and the Environment Agency for their work in identifying the cause.
“I now hope anglers will support us in helping the pool’s fish population to recover.”