Newport is suffering a natural disaster after the big freeze wiped out an entire fish stock at one of the town’s exclusive fishing syndicates.
Moss Pool, in Forton, has been the bastion of specimen carp fishing for decades.
But the recent sub-zero temperatures have killed the established fish reserves leaving local anglers heart broken.
Low water levels, exacerbated by the Newport by-pass development, have been sited as the main problem with further silt issues on the pool bed.
Fish froze to death in the ice and the future viability of the site remains bleak.
Carp fisherman Neil Perkins said the syndicate has lost fish which were up to 30 years old.
He said: “It is heart-breaking to say the least.
“I am not a member of the syndicate, but to see over 25 specimen mirror, common and leather carp between eight and 30 pounds dead in the margins because of fishery neglect and oxygen starvation is truly shocking.
“Some of these fish were probably over 20 or 30 years old.
“A couple of devastated local fishing enthusiasts spotted several of the larger fish floating in the margins.
“On closer inspection, it appears that the big freeze has completely wiped out the stock of carp, roach and pike in the pool.
“The aftermath of the big freeze has unearthed a true ecological disaster on the outskirts of Newport and it’s very, very sad.”
Since Newport by-pass was created, a water source for the pool at Meretown has been diverted and the pool has struggled to retain its water level for several years.
But for decades, the good head of specimen carp have survived low water levels, green algae blooms and a recent infestation of duck weed last September.
Newport Tackle shop owner and vice chair of the Audco fishing club Joan Ashcroft said the syndicate have had a constant battle to keep the pool oxygenated.
She said: “We have a similar pool at Long Lane and you have to watch them with a winter like this.
“If the water level is low you need to oxygenate it by breaking the ice or getting an oxygen machine.
“I have heard that money was spent on the problem but there was little that could be done.”
The manager of the fishing syndicate was not available for comment.
By Sam Pinnington
