Another Sign of the Coming Carp Apocalypse: Carp Thieves Foiled By ID Chips
By Tom Chandler on Jan 7, 2008 in Underground Entertainment
In yet another stunning example of just how much more the Euros think of carp than your average US-based fly fisher, we bring you this little gem from the FishUpdate:
UNSCRUPULOUS fishery owners will have to think twice before buying dodgy carp from fish thieves in the future. Environment Agency Wales and Peterstone Fishery, near St Mellons, Cardiff, have joined forces to tag newly-stocked carp.
The fish of up to 30lb in size will each be identifiable thanks to an unique electronic tag inserted into each fish. The technology is already widely used by pet owners to tag their cats and dogs.
Anglers thinking of stealing fish from one fishery and either taking them to restock another water will not be able to tell if the fish they have caught are tagged or not.
Fishery owners wont be able to tell if the fish they buy have been secretly tagged or not their first indication that they’ve been duped by the rustlers might be Environment Agency Enforcement Officers or the police knocking on their fishery door.
Wow. Frankly, I can think of some fishermen I’d like to tag (thereby tracking them to their secret fishy holes), but fish? Carp? Carp thieves??
We’re simply going to recline for a while and try put this into perspective. The floor is yours, Undergrounders.
Smellslikefish | Jan 7, 2008 | Reply
I’m surprised that Homeland Security has not yet instituted measures to thwart nefarious Carp dealings. I’m sure tighter security is just around the corner though. That’s why I always make my Carp trades with a reputable dealer - someone like Victoria’s Carp and Bottom Feeders on Dunsmuir’s south side. Thanks to the European security efforts, the June Carp Futures contract is up over $1.00 today alone. I’m making a killing.
Tom Chandler | Jan 7, 2008 | Reply
You forgot — the hugely patriotic Bluegill is already on the Homeland Security Payroll, so the carp are already under surveillance.
Adrian | Jan 9, 2008 | Reply
That’s not the only threat to British carp!
From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2214963,00.html
Catching all our carp
This is becoming a bit of an annual story, largely because carp is a traditional Christmas dish in Poland. Eastern Europeans are treating our British carp as a food source rather than a bit of harmless sport. Just as one sometimes hears that greedy immigrants are denuding our forests of wild mushrooms, there are claims that organised gangs armed with spear guns are filling bin liners with carp. These stories are always long on outraged anecdote and short on fact: a recent survey claimed that 34 out of 60 fishery owners thought theft by eastern Europeans was a bigger threat to their stocks than global warming or disease. This year, in anticipation of a yuletide rash of eastern European carp poaching, the Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust has produced a sign which explains Britain’s catch-and-release tradition in three bold graphics: Don’t Spear the Carp, Don’t Cook the Carp and Don’t Date the Carp.
GG | Jan 10, 2008 | Reply
So, on the opposite end of the spectrum, we had to hire a specialist to help eradicate the carp population here at Big Bear Lake…so send those fishy fans over our way!
Mark Ostrom | Jan 11, 2008 | Reply
An old indian fisherman once gave me Smoked Carp and was delighted to “You Try” on me….
Attempting to say “Th..than {GHAAAG} Thanks— that’s (BLURPPP) great!”
I ran to the nearest rest room, 30′ seemed like 30 miles… and heaved the whole mess up like a Jr High drunk.
Why in GOD’S Name would ANYONE steal CARP? Masochism?
Tom Chandler | Jan 11, 2008 | Reply
“Carpocalypse” That should have been in the headline.