Environment
Teaming up to halt spread of invasive floating pennywort
The Angling Trust, Spen Anglers and the Environment Agency joined forces in a key operation to stop the spread of floating pennywort from Mann Dam in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, into the adjacent River Spen.
Ian Doyle, a Fisheries Support Officer with the Angling Trust, Jez Parkinson of Spen Anglers, and EA biodiversity officers Andy Virtue and Tom Oliphant installed a floating boom to contain the invasive plant in the fishing pond.
Jez, a qualified diver, carried out the underwater work to position the boom effectively, while the team oversaw the installation.
Preventing the downstream movement of pennywort is critical, as Mann Dam sits high in the Calder catchment. If allowed to spread, it threatens to undermine major “headwaters-down” removal efforts currently being led by the Angling Trust’s Pennywort Patrols across the region.
Volunteer hand-removal days will be organised later in the year to begin clearing pennywort from the pond itself. The long-term goal is total elimination of the invasive species from the site, protecting both biodiversity and the future of angling in the area.
Our Fisheries Support staff are funded by rod licence money through our partnership with the Environment Agency.
To find out more about the support the Fisheries Support service can offer please click here.
Ian Doyle (left) and Jez Parkinson at Mann Dam, Cleckeaton
Jez, an experienced diver, inserting the boom
The boom in place
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