All fish in Bristol lake to be killed in order to prevent fishing

[Undertoad]

It's my personal theory that all city councils everywhere are insane.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-35134740

All the fish in a lake in Bristol are to be removed and destroyed in a bid to discourage fishing.

Last year, the local Neighbourhood Partnership voted to ban fishing at St George's Park lake to stop wildlife being harmed by fishing line and hooks.

It has now approved an option proposed by Bristol City Council to destroy the fish rather than relocate them.

Now, this is the line that floors me:

"It's become very run down and there are far too many fish in there to support any kind of ecosystem,"

No kind of ecosystem? Apparently this one supports wildlife in such abundance that you can't cast a reel without hurting a part of it!

[lumberjim]

we're doomed as a race

[sexobon]

Someone probably told the Bristol City Council there was a phishing problem and this is what it came up with.

[Beestie]

I think the city council and the fish should switch futures.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Now, this is the line that floors me:



No kind of ecosystem? Apparently this one supports wildlife in such abundance that you can't cast a reel without hurting a part of it!

Whilst I agree that councils are generally batshit crazy (trust me, I was a councillor) and that this is a ridiculous solution- the thing about the ecosystem may actually be fur realz. They stocked the pond 20 years ago with fish - what's the betting they didn't give a huge amount of thought at the time to choosing fish that would complement a solid pond eco system rather than simply dominate the fuck out of it?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by DanaC

They stocked the pond 20 years ago with fish - what's the betting they didn't give a huge amount of thought at the time to choosing fish that would complement a solid pond eco system rather than simply dominate the fuck out of it?

If the fish don't dominate what will, mosquitos? Snakes? Killer werefrogs?
What eco system? This isn't a drawing in a biology text book, it's a real pond in the real world. Real ponds establish their own balance from what's on hand. The trees that drop leaves in the water, the shade/sun balance, the inflow and outflow rates, the type of birds in the neighborhood, the ph of the water and mud balance, and on, and on. The other things in the textbook like plants, insects, fish, turtles, amphibians, critters, may or may not thrive depending on a bunch of factors. No two ponds are alike, and none are like the book.
If the council wants to micro manage the pond, it's gonna get expensive with a full time biologist and staff. Too many fish? Allow fishing.

[sexobon]

They tossed five loaves and two fish into the pond and look what happened!

[Gravdigr]

This story belongs in 'Stupid People', or 'Idiot[s] of the Day'.

[DanaC]

if the pond is overstocked with fish it can wipe out other stuff - they may have gone for non-native species, or a species that is too successful in that environment.

Why they won't then allow fishing to control the population is beyond me. Unless they cannot guarantee fish from that water will be safe to eat - if there are high levels of certain contaminants in the water.

And why, given all that, they can't relocate the fish elsewhere rather than just mindlessly wiping thme all out - again, I do not know.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Probably somebody's kid or dog got a fish hook in them. Or somebody saw a bird tangled in fishing line. I use to do a lot of fishing and fisherpersons are not always neat. Even the ones who are conscientious about drink containers and food wrappers, can be less that scrupulous about discarding fishing gear.

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by DanaC

... And why, given all that, they can't relocate the fish elsewhere rather than just mindlessly wiping thme all out - again, I do not know.

It seems to be a fixed point in time ...