Bad news for anglers

[NICK R]

BAD NEWS FOR ANGLERS

A person who shall remain nameless and who is a representative of the Anglesey Pest Removal Information Line (For Outside Operations Listings)
has leaked some information to me which I reckon to be catostrophic for the angling community. This information is not yet official.
It appears that a little known crustacean disease which originated in Taiwan and which has already decimated their stocks of shore type crabs which are closely related to Carcinas Maenas (green shore crab) has been recently identified in various parts of some Anglesey beaches. It is not known how or when this started but apparently it has taken a strong hold on the shore crab population.
This disease is highly contagious and not only does it swiftly kill the crab but also makes it unpalatable for the fish which feed on them. There are also unconfirmed reports of large wart type growths on the hands of the local fishermen who collect the crabs as a Taiwan delicacy. In Taiwan they have overcome the problem disease and clear areas have now been set up. Apparently their beaches were sprayed with an anti toxin which our authorities are investigating.
The person who informed me of this imminent problem also said that anglers will be made aware of the risk of infection from these crabs and particularly in the Peeler stage when they are most dormant and following further biopsies and post mortem inspections the National Angling organisations and the Angling Press will be notified of a possible ban on any shellfish and crustacea collection from local beaches until further notice.

This would certainly make quite an impact on our fishing from the shore this season as the Peeler is a popular bait and a vital source of food for species such as the Bass which generally feed on the type of beaches that hold shore crabs and those said beaches will become no go areas.

[maghouse]

Thanks for posting this warning Nick - I read something similar in the local press about an infection to shore life and rumour says it especially affected shore crabs and upset the peeling process ..... I think our Smut sessions might suffer this summer if this is widespread - I hope not ..... I wonder how it will affect the fish ?

[Fisherdan]

oh dear that doesnt sound too good...

[NICK R]

Originally Posted by maghouse

Thanks for posting this warning Nick - I read something similar in the local press about an infection to shore life and rumour says it especially affected shore crabs and upset the peeling process ..... I think our Smut sessions might suffer this summer if this is widespread - I hope not ..... I wonder how it will affect the fish ?

It is a very scarey thought indeed

[Gremlin]

Nothing on the Defra hotline about it; but then they wouldn't, would they!

[lazy hooker]

oh dear

well i'll keep performing ortopsies down here with a 6 inch filleting knife and establishing whether fish are repulsed by them with an exercise including a 3oz weight and a 2/0 hook!!

seriously though not good news

john

[NICK R]

Anglesey Pest Removal Information Line (For Outside Operations Listings)



got ya

[barbelblanker]

Ha Ha Ha! Nice one!

[Greenheart]

LOL, nice one Nick, but wrong day. That was posted on the 31st March....