Below is an explanation and details of why we have implemented a new Spawning Protocol this year.

There are a number of different strains of carp in the Fendrod. We have over the last 5 years stocked hand-picked carp from a number of specialist fish farms to enhance the already varied types of carp that were already there. Because of these different strains the carp tend to spawn at different times throughout the late spring and early summer period. In previous years we have closed the lake as many as 5 times during this period whilst the carp were spawning, and each time opened the lake again once they had finished. Every year we have experienced significant carp deaths at this time which were put down to the vigorous spawning activity, but we now realise that the vast majority of these deaths was due to the carp being caught too soon after spawning without being given the chance to recover from the spawning ordeal. The new protocol has been developed to allow the carp to firstly be left undisturbed whilst spawning, and secondly to be given sufficient time to recover and build up their strength prior to being fished for. The initial and second trial of this new Protocol has been so far 100% successful and this year no fish fatalities have occurred to date.

The Club has amended the existing SPAWNING PROTOCOL which is included in Club Rule 15 (o) as follows: –

SPAWNING PROTOCOL 1

In the event that fish are seen spawning all over the lake the whole of the lake will be closed and all anglers must immediately stop fishing. This will be called SPAWNING PROTOCOL 1. The lake will then remain closed for a period of 7 days from the last sighting of spawning fish. If during the initial 7 days the carp start spawning again, we will continue to keep the lake closed for a period of 7 days from the last sighting of spawning carp to allow the fish to rest and recover. Once 7 clear days of no spawning activity have been observed we will open Pegs 10 to 27, 51 & 54 for a further period of 7 days with open water fishing only, no fishing in the margins will be allowed. The lake will only be opened in full after a further period of 7 days of no spawning activity has taken place. If the carp start to spawn again during this period the whole process will start again.

SPAWNING PROTOCOL 2

If the event that the carp are seen spawning in one specific area of the lake, the lake will be closed for 7 days but Pegs 10 to 27, 51 & 54 will remain open for open water fishing only, no fishing in the margins will be allowed. This will be called SPAWNING PROTOCOL 2. The lake will only be opened in full after a further period of 7 days of no spawning activity has taken place. If the carp start to spawn again during this period the whole process will start again.

We will communicate to all members via the Clubmate portal when either SPAWNING PROTOCOL 1 or 2 is active and again when the SPAWNING PROTOCOL is deactivated.

The Club Rules can be viewed in full on our website www.brynmilldistrictac.co.uk

Your cooperation is appreciated.