Fishing ban begins after rise in river temperatures

A ban on game fishing has begun in parts of the West as rising water temperatures have led to fish dying.

All clubs within the Wiltshire Fishery Association (WFA) have opted to close off their fishing waters as of 8 July after the water temperature in the River Avon at Durnford, near Salisbury in Wiltshire, was recorded at 21.4C.

The WFA said the measure will help reduce the risk of game fish including salmon, trout and grayling dying.

Fly-fishers and anglers said the fish caught during warmer temperatures deplete their energy so much that it puts them at risk when released back in the water.

Peter Curtis, WFA chairman, said game fish are not tolerant to warm water temperatures and "once the water gets above 19 degrees they're in trouble."

"At about 19 degrees Celsius the advice from the angling trust is to not to go fishing," he said.

"When it gets to extreme temperatures they're in danger of simply dying."

The measure affects fishing areas in south Wiltshire around Salisbury, and surrounding waters on the rivers Wylye, Nadder and Ebble.

The WFA has asked anglers to refrain from targeting salmonoids in their coarse and mixed fisheries.

The River Avon below Salisbury is still open for coarse fishing as chub, dace and roach can withstand the higher temperatures.

It comes as Salisbury & District Angling Club (SADAC) closed its waters to fishing in June during the UK's second heatwave for a few days.

The SADAC, which controls fishing around about 30 miles of river in the Salisbury area for 1,300 members, is among the clubs in the WFA to have followed suit and shut their fishing again this month.

Andy Stafford, SADAC committee member, said since closing the areas earlier this month they have seen a "slight improvement in temperature" but added it was "hard to say" when they could reopen.

"As long as this weather stays the same and pushes the temperatures up, we may have to keep them closed up to a couple of weeks," he said.

"I don't see any sign of a let up."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "England's warmest spring on record and third heatwave is putting immense pressure on fish.

"We're keeping a close eye on the situation and have recorded water temperatures as high as 24C, which is concerning.

"Officers are quickly responding to fish in distress caused by cases of low oxygen, algal blooms, or becoming stranded by low flows and dried-out watercourses.

"The public are our eyes and ears. If they see fish in distress report it to our 24/7 hotline."

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.