Fish rescue bid 'phenomenal' as lake levels drop

Residents in Sandown have come together to rescue fish from Canoe Lake after water levels dropped

A "phenomenal" rescue mission has been launched by residents hoping to save fish from a dried up lake on the Isle of Wight.

The Environment Agency said the first six months of the year were the driest since 1976 and the levels of rivers and lakes across the country were low.

A group of volunteers on the Isle of Wight said it was having a "drastic" impact on wildlife, after discovering more than 100 dead fish at Canoe Lake in Sandown.

It comes after Isle of Wight Council pumped emergency water supplies into Big Mead Pond, in Shanklin, and residents also raised concerns about water levels at a Southampton Common lake.

Residents are currently helping to dig out trenches ready for emergency water to be pumped into Canoe Lake for the surviving fish

Island resident Natalie Power said she and her husband were walking by Canoe Lake, which is three-quarters privately owned, on Sunday and noticed the fish struggling.

"We just jumped in and started digging out a trench for the fish, but we realised so much more was needed," she said.

"Through the power of social media over 72 hours, we've grown this into a huge operation and what we're achieving is phenomenal."

Mrs Power said the lake was drying up "rapidly", but she estimated there were up to 400 fish still alive.

She said the lake owners had given them permission "to do what we need to save the fish" and a fundraising page had been set up to fund emergency water supplies.

'Time is critical'

Mrs Power added: "Time is critical. Due to a huge amount of red tape, it's not as simple as removing them and taking them elsewhere."

Fellow resident Katrina Gilderthorp said: "We're going to be down here until it pours with rain and it fills again, or we get the licence to move the fish.

"It's really important, these are animals that are dying."

In Southampton resident Carol Pope said she had never seen water levels so low for the lake in the common.

"Just sad, I couldn't quite believe it actually, such a shock when I saw it," she said.

Resident Jean Dewey added: "It's gone down and down and the fish are so big, they're half in and half out the water and when the sun's shining on their backs, it's so cruel."

Carol Pope said it was sad to see the lake at Southampton Common so dry

Southampton City Council has been approached for comment.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said it had been monitoring fish health and water levels at the common and was providing advice to the council.

"Our officers continue to provide advice to local residents on managing Canoe Lake," it said.

"It is essential that the correct licenses are obtained before moving fish, because of the dangers of disease transmission, overstocking, and the risk to endangered species."