Barramundi Fishing in the UK

[Greenheart]

Barramundi Fishing in the UK (Another one for the Species Hunt?)

I’m sure you have all heard about the escape of fish from the UK’s only Barramundi farm at Lymington Hampshire during 2006. http://www.aquab.com/ Well it looks like it may have some un-expected benefits for us anglers. I found the following item of news in this mornings edition of the New Forrester & Solent herald.

Fish escape may bring unexpected benefits to the areas economy:
Anglers fishing in the Solent area have found a new & exotic species to target. Australian Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)
The fish, which are believed to be survivors from a mass escape of fish from a Lymington Fish Farm in 2006 appear to be flourishing in local rivers & estuaries & have recently been caught in Southampton & Christchurch harbours. Anglers spinning for Salmon & Pike in the rivers Test, Itchen & Avon, have also been hooking speciemens up to 35lb in weight.
Marine Bioligist, Professor Olaf Pilor of Bournemouth University has been studying the species in Australia for many years and is now conducting the first UK study of these hard fighting fish. Although many game anglers in the area have expressed concern about their effect on indigenious species such as Salmon & Seatrout, Professor Pilor has said there’s no need to worry. Barramundi primarily inhabit brackish esturine water that few other UK species inhabit & only ascend rivers to spawn. The only UK fish that regularily reside in brackish water are Flounder & Mullet & these should be able to co-exist quite happily with Barramundi due to their differing feeding habits. He believes that with global warming pushing our native cold water gamefish further north, this hard fighting & tasty gamefish could effectively fill the void & may even put Southampton & the solent on the map as the UK’s premier big game fishing venue. This would of course have a huge beneficial effect on local businesses such as hotels & tackle shops.
The Department of the Environment, Fisheries & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is monitoring the situation with interest & Defra Minister Jonathan Shaw is asking that anglers report any catches on their Barramundi hotline. Tel 08459 33 55 77 or by email at helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Local tackle shop Nailors are stocking a full range of Loop Flair Barramundi Rods imported from Australia & their resident guide Justin is willing to organise Barramundi safari’s for groups of three or more anglers. If you are interested, they can be contacted online at:info@nailorsfishing.co.ukor by phone Tel: 0238 0562906

Professor Olaf Pilor with an Australian caught Barramundi

[pingu]

oh theres a nice by catch for the smut hunt then

[Banana Steve]

Pingu and Baggie Rich fishing the solent
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mpYNMQX41Gs&feature=email

[pingu]

Originally Posted by Banana Steve

Pingu and Baggie Rich fishing the solent
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mpYNMQX41Gs&feature=email

naah mate those guys look too skilled

[BaggieRich]

Strewth Steve, that creek sure looks ripper mate, but did you see what the dingo nearly did to me beloved Loop Flair Rod? I've told the cobber before, you need to treat it like a Sheila if you wanna catch them Barra mate: Just sit back and let it do all the work!

[bazzer]

Its a shame it wasnt a Stripped Bass farm, then you'd be talking

[Greenheart]

I see this months Sea Angler magazine has a feature on Tarpon fishing at Aberthaw.......

[lazy hooker]

Marine Bioligist, Professor Olaf Pilor of Bournemouth University

Olaf Pilor...not an anagram of April Fool by any chance!!!!

[meolsman]

marine bloggist,maybe!!

[geejayy]

Originally Posted by lazy hooker

Olaf Pilor...not an anagram of April Fool by any chance!!!!

now i know anythings possible but i had simaler thoughts when reading the
welsh tarpon article in aprils seadangler.