CHARD reservoir has been closed to anglers following a decision by the district council.

In mid-June this year, the choice was taken to close all angling at the South Somerset District Council (SSDC) owned Chard Reservoir Local Nature Reservoir, due to the death of an estimated 15 to 20 carp.

Following concern from the SSDC site ranger, the Chard Angling Club bailiff and anglers about injuries noticed on the fish, the Environment Agency (EA) was asked to assist.

Steve Osborne from Chard Angling Club said: “The health of the fish is paramount. We will not open the site to angling until we are content that the stock has returned to full health and that water quality is being regularly monitored at each inlet to check for any pollutants entering the fishery.”

Councillor Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “It has been a long process trying to establish what the cause of the initial fish mortality was. The reservoir is on the course of the River Isle and has many tributaries from both the town and countryside. Keeping a close watch on the water coming into the fishery should help us identify and manage any future potential issues."

For more information, visits www.southsomersetcountryside.com.