FIN supports Crucian project at Horseshoe Pool

FIN supports Crucian project at Horseshoe Pool

FIN are very pleased to have played a part in supporting a bigger project reviving a neglected fishery to provide a safe habitat for a much neglected species – Crucians, Carassius Carassius.

As with our support for Wild Carp (see our grant to The Wild Carp Trust) we are supportive of re-establishing true Crucians (as opposed to hybrids). Amongst other things this involves protecting them from predation. Crucians are an ideal size for cormorants and whole ponds have been cleared by these birds, often working in teams.

Following on from support from the Environment Agency and the Angling Trust

together with the landowner and the team behind the project FIN have provided a specific grant to help provide refuges for these fish in the form of large drainage pipes. These are cut into lengths that are then stacked and sunk into the pool to provide sanctuary. Prior to our involvement refuges had been made from sheep fencing made into cylinders and stacked in a group of 18 per refuge and floating islands. Together we hope these initiatives will give the crucians a chance to thrive.

Full details of the project can be seen by clicking on the link below in an article by David Williams a member of the team behind the Horseshoe Pool project and first published in the Tenchfisher magazine.

Particularly important in the success of the grant application was the team’s participation in the Crucian Conservation Project. In addition to protection of heritage stock of confirmed provenance, the team’s aim is to breed and bi-yearly crop the young Crucians so that they can be passed on to other waters interested in the project. So this grant was about the need to revive and widen populations of crucians rather than simply to help the general restocking of a club lake.