Aquatic Supplies and Harvesting - Escot - The natural place for a great day out in Devon

Aquatic Supplies and Harvesting

Escot offers practical solutions and consultancy services to fisheries of all types. Here are some examples.

Coarse and Ornamental Fish Supply and Control

Existing ponds may already hold an untapped harvest of fish, probably long since stunted.  Or they may contain shoals of uncommercial species like small roach.  Other ponds may have become too shallow due to silting or be polluted with farm run-off.

We stock coarse fish as follows.

• For angling: mirror carp, green tench and bream
• For conservation (e.g. to feed kingfishers, otters etc.): roach, rudd, gudgeon
• For aquatic weed control: above 18deg.C grass carp daily eat twice their own body weight of aquatic weeds and are stocked to control blanket weed, duck weed or Canadian pond weed
• Ornamental fish such as golden orfe, golden rudd and koi carp are stocked purely for visual enjoyment.

Aquatic Plants and Reedbeds

Water plants can be very invasive so species planting needs to be carefully planned, taking into consideration height, depth and colour.  Excessive weed growth may require aquatic herbicide. These are species-specific and harmless to wildlife if correctly applied.

Reedbeds provide diverse aquatic habitat as well as acting as a natural filter bed. This can neutralise pollution, prevent ponds silting up and check algae growth or green water.

Harvesting Fish

Unmanaged ponds can yield surprisingly high or disappointingly low harvests.  Seine netting can be an effective method of harvest but draining or lowering the level of the pond is far more effective. Electrofishing has limited use in canals and rivers but seldom in ponds.

For advice on any aspect of fish supply and harvesting please contact John-Michael Kennaway on 01404 822188 or email: info@escot-devon.co.uk