Anglers should throw carp back into the water

A fishing expert is warning Kent's lakes could end up empty unless more is done to stop poachers.

Graham East, of Gravesend's Dolphin Angling Centre, is calling for people to be better educated about fishing rights after a fall in fish stock across local lakes.

An influx of immigrants is said to be putting pressure on stocks of carp, which is the favoured choice for Christmas dinner among the eastern European community.

Mr East said: "In their countries, what they catch they can take home and eat, but in England we have laws and they are ignorant of them.

"The solution is education – leaflets and signs in several languages would be a start."

Earlier this month, an eastern European man was pushed into Gordon Lake by another angler after illegally trying to take off with a carp.

Mr East said: "Several anglers tried to explain what he was attempting to do was illegal, but to no avail due to the language barrier.

"One protester then stepped forward and pushed the captor holding the fish into the water."

The angling expert also warned of gangs targeting lakes with large nets and long lines hidden under water to illegally catch the fish, which should be thrown back into the water.

He added: "A 20lb common carp with a clean bill of health would cost nearly £1,000 and carp in this country can be up to 60lbs, so you can imagine what the bigger ones are worth.

"A lot of youngsters fish in the area especially as it is the summer holidays, but if this carries on there isn't going to be anything left to catch."