AGA Group - Fisheries Management - Weed Control -Control Measures

Weed Control Measures

Biological weed control is carried out using fish to control weed growth, with one species in particular associated with this type of weed control. The grass carp which comes from Eurasia is herbivorous and its diet consists mainly of aquatic plants. Grass carp are not indigenous to the UK and therefore require consent from English Nature, DEFRA and the Environment Agency before they can be introduced into a water body. Control with grass carp can be effective in certain circumstances but the high cost of these fish, which do not naturally breed in this country makes it essential to obtain professional advice such as that offered by the A.G.A Group.

Chemical control can be achieved by treating the invasive or nuisance plant species with an aquatic herbicide. It is critical that these chemicals are only used in their correct dosages and applied at the correct time and in the correct way. Control can be very effective, but is often only a short term solution and inappropriate use or control can have some unforeseen consequences. Killing off stands of submerged weed can for example leave a niche for nuisance algae to fill and this can be far more difficult to control, so once again advice should be sought from those that have knowledge of aquatic ecology as well as weed control aspects.

The A.G.A Group has a full range of both hand and boat mounted equipment to deal with the application of both liquid and granular herbicides in all aquatic situations.

Environmental control in terms of weed control is usually carried out by shading. This can be achieved by trees, lilies or even putting a material such as polythene over an area to exclude sunlight. All plants require light and aquatic ones are no exception to this.

Mechanical weed control, whilst very labour intensive is often the only option particularly in small water bodies or where circumstances preclude the other methods. Cutting weed on a beat of a trout fishery is a job that requires both the hands-on approach and a feel born from experience.

Circumstances that preclude other methods have recently included cutting weed in a water supply reservoir and in an amenity lake at a shopping centre complex.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 02 March 2008 17:57 )