MORE than 150 carp have been removed from Yeadon Tarn as part of an operation to improve the health of the dam.

The netting of fish from the tarn, organised by Aireborough and District Angling Association, will be followed in April with the introduction of more than 10,000 small carp.

Peter Darfield, from the association, said the netting had been carried out following a survey which had revealed there were very few small fish in the tarn.

He added: "More recently, the arrival of fish-eating birds at the tarn had increased concerns.

"We had to act and act quickly, anglers were no longer catching good bags of fish and the young fish were being herded by fish-eating birds who were then gorging themselves."

He said it was pointless restocking with roach because they would have soon been eaten by the cormorants and gooseanders.

"We need to ensure that the tarn holds a good head of fish of different species, sizes and ages to ensure its future and by introducing over 10,000 carp of the size we propose, there will be a sufficient bird proof stock which will provide good sport for many people."

More than 120 healthy carp of between five and 10 pounds were taken from the tarn at the netting with a further 25 fish of between ten and 15 pounds. The fish were relocated to other rivers and tarns. Around 100 more were put back.

The cost of the new stock will be paid for largely from the sale of the removed stock and the rest from the association's funds.

Mr Darfield said: "The netting has shown the growth rate of the carp to be exceptional and that there is a good quantity of quality bream. It has also shown that we can safely remove some of the larger carp without ruining sport for the specialist carp anglers. There are also hundreds of large carp left in the tarn."

He added the new stock would provide sport for all anglers in both the short and long term.

"We are confident that the new stock will be a repeat of what happened when we put 5,000 trout in the tarn last year. That stocking caused other species to start feeding again on anglers' baits and that caused anglers to come back to the tarn and enjoy their angling there."

l Day tickets for the tarn are £3 for adults and £1.50 for children under 16 years old. Tickets can be bought from the newsagents at Cliffe Court or at C Rowe, High Street, also at tackleshops in Guiseley and Otley.

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