Burbot. Is it worth it?
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- Eel
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Burbot. Is it worth it?
It seems that Burbot will be re-introduced into Norfolk's River Wissey soon, according to Jack Perks' podcast.
I think the last Burbot was caught in 1969, and there was a failed attempt to re-introduce them in 2007. They will be re-introduced into a non fishing part of the Wissey owned by the MOD.
The fish will come from Europe, and will be genetically similar to our lost native ones.
I thought that they needed prolonged cold weather to enable them to spawn; but apparently that is not so. They just need a 'messy' river that occasionally floods.
They grow to about 8 1/2 pounds, and are predators and cannibals. Apparently they are good eating.
Is this a waste of money? Or will it set a vital precedent for the future, when we may lose other species of freshwater fish?
I think the last Burbot was caught in 1969, and there was a failed attempt to re-introduce them in 2007. They will be re-introduced into a non fishing part of the Wissey owned by the MOD.
The fish will come from Europe, and will be genetically similar to our lost native ones.
I thought that they needed prolonged cold weather to enable them to spawn; but apparently that is not so. They just need a 'messy' river that occasionally floods.
They grow to about 8 1/2 pounds, and are predators and cannibals. Apparently they are good eating.
Is this a waste of money? Or will it set a vital precedent for the future, when we may lose other species of freshwater fish?
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- Perch
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
John Bailey in his book "50 Fish to Catch Before You Die" is the latest I have seen. Smallish fish, very cold water, night feeder and taste like sh*t. Extinction is a natural process too...
Andy Falkner
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?

- spincityfan
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
feed the otters, let them know its xmas time
Introducing the worlds worst Barbel Angler,
Mr Ash Shaw
Mr Ash Shaw
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
Do you have any links/ details for getting more info? Whether it's a waste of money will depend on how much of who's money, amongst other things.
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- Chub
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
Absolute waste of time. The ecology of our rivers is f****d.
Spend the cash taking polluters to court, that's far more meaningful.
Why does it matter if we have burbot? Makes no difference. See also otters, beavers, twaite, wild boar, wolves. Absolute waste of money.
Spend the cash taking polluters to court, that's far more meaningful.
Why does it matter if we have burbot? Makes no difference. See also otters, beavers, twaite, wild boar, wolves. Absolute waste of money.
The dildo of consequences rarely arrives lubed
- John Milford
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
A freshwater member of the cod family.
If they were in our rivers again I'd like to catch one, but that's certainly not a 'bucket list' ambtion.
If they were in our rivers again I'd like to catch one, but that's certainly not a 'bucket list' ambtion.
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- Eel
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
barnsy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 06 2024 21:29 -Search The Bearded T!t on youtube for info. One interesting interview with Chris Yates; an Englishman who has caught a Burbot.Do you have any links/ details for getting more info? Whether it's a waste of money will depend on how much of who's money, amongst other things.
The RSPB have the mission statement to 'Never lose a bird in Europe'.
Should the Angling Trust have the mission statement to 'Never lose a fish in the United Kingdom'. ?
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- Catfish
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
The ecology of our river mo longer suits these fish and I believe temperature is as critical to them.
They are not genetically the same so will technically be introduced rather than re introduced.
We lost this species, they had their day but we should protect todays species.
Cheers, Alan
They are not genetically the same so will technically be introduced rather than re introduced.
We lost this species, they had their day but we should protect todays species.
Cheers, Alan
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" Seneca, some Roman chap.
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- Eel
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
I think the project has been led by Norfolk Rivers Trust, and funded by Natural England (?).
They say that cold temperatures and clean rivers are not necessary for Burbot; but they may not have considered predation enough.
They say that cold temperatures and clean rivers are not necessary for Burbot; but they may not have considered predation enough.
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- Catfish
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
greencard1 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07 2024 07:24 -and yet they thrive in clean cold water and died out over hear.I think the project has been led by Norfolk Rivers Trust, and funded by Natural England (?).
They say that cold temperatures and clean rivers are not necessary for Burbot; but they may not have considered predation enough.
I bet the cormorants will love their flakey flesh!Cheers, Alan
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" Seneca, some Roman chap.
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
Well if their plan is to attempt a reintroduction that far up the Wissey then I fear it will be a waste of time and money.
The river up there that is owned by the MOD is little more then a shallow, weed choked stream and has when I have stopped a looked off the nearest bridge had very little in the way of fish life present.
I'm sure there's better areas in the fens to attempt a reintroduction
The river up there that is owned by the MOD is little more then a shallow, weed choked stream and has when I have stopped a looked off the nearest bridge had very little in the way of fish life present.
I'm sure there's better areas in the fens to attempt a reintroduction
Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that. YNWA
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- Eel
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
David Vaissiere wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07 2024 21:54 -The man from the NRT said they were going to improve the river before the stocking.Well if their plan is to attempt a reintroduction that far up the Wissey then I fear it will be a waste of time and money.
The river up there that is owned by the MOD is little more then a shallow, weed choked stream and has when I have stopped a looked off the nearest bridge had very little in the way of fish life present.
I'm sure there's better areas in the fens to attempt a reintroduction
I agree that some things maybe should be allowed to die out. Packham thinks that Giant Pandas are an evolutionary cul de sac; partly because they only eat bamboo. Without help from humans they probably would have died out.
I reckon that a conservation group trying to help a freshwater fish species is a rare thing, and should be encouraged. Even if it is doomed to failure, surely lessons will be learned that may be useful in the future.

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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
greencard1 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08 2024 05:49 -The Pandas plight was created by man and man has then saved them from himself.David Vaissiere wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07 2024 21:54 -The man from the NRT said they were going to improve the river before the stocking.Well if their plan is to attempt a reintroduction that far up the Wissey then I fear it will be a waste of time and money.
The river up there that is owned by the MOD is little more then a shallow, weed choked stream and has when I have stopped a looked off the nearest bridge had very little in the way of fish life present.
I'm sure there's better areas in the fens to attempt a reintroduction
I agree that some things maybe should be allowed to die out. Packham thinks that Giant Pandas are an evolutionary cul de sac; partly because they only eat bamboo. Without help from humans they probably would have died out.
I reckon that a conservation group trying to help a freshwater fish species is a rare thing, and should be encouraged. Even if it is doomed to failure, surely lessons will be learned that may be useful in the future.![]()
Wherever you read, cold water is vitally important to the life cycle of the burbot and its a fact that we dont get the winters that we used to. Deep water is another part of the burbots ecology, deep water creates large suitable habitats below the thermocline.
Burbot were also native to more northern areas such as Yorkshire, so deeper colder waters oop there may be more suitable, but as burbot can be a nuisance species and negatively effect others to the point some fisheries run a "no release" system, if they are to be reintroduced, a deep landlocked stillwater would be a better choice for trialing this project.
The thing is with reintroductions like this and like that of the otter, is that the environment they are to be released in is vastly different from the one where they last thrived meaning they are in a way no longer indigenous and so the impact of this new species cannot be forecast.
The plight of freshwater fish species should be of concern, but current species at risk such unique artic char populations would be better use of resources.
We will see but I will say the only species that benefited from the otter reintroduction is a few do-gooders from the otter foundation who patted themselves on the back and the otter itself!
Cheers, Alan
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" Seneca, some Roman chap.
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- Zander
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
Regarding introductions of any sort it's all well and good but the whole UK environment needs to be cleaned up to support them and what we have already have/got left.
Our rivers are the veins of our country clean them up so they can help support what they feed.
The UK land mass isn't what it was so introduction of some fauna might be a mistake based on the simple fact that we are a heavily populated country.
Just my thoughts
Regards
Martin
Our rivers are the veins of our country clean them up so they can help support what they feed.
The UK land mass isn't what it was so introduction of some fauna might be a mistake based on the simple fact that we are a heavily populated country.
Just my thoughts
Regards
Martin
Martin Alexander aka Alex, Spic.
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
Gord Burton caught a burbot from the Red River in Manitoba I took the pic!!!
Happy to be alive!!!!
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Re: Burbot. Is it worth it?
greencard1 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 06 2024 12:51 -That's great news about the Burbot re-introduction! It's a valuable investment in preserving biodiversity and could set a precedent for future conservation efforts. Plus, it's cool to learn more about these fascinating fish!It seems that Burbot will be re-introduced into Norfolk's River Wissey soon, according to Jack Perks' podcast.
I think the last Burbot was caught in 1969, and there was a failed attempt to re-introduce them in 2007. They will be re-introduced into a non fishing part of the Wissey owned by the MOD.
The fish will come from Europe, and will be genetically similar to our lost native ones.
I thought that they needed prolonged cold weather to enable them to spawn; but apparently that is not so. They just need a 'messy' river that occasionally floods.
They grow to about 8 1/2 pounds, and are predators and cannibals. Apparently they are good eating.
Is this a waste of money? Or will it set a vital precedent for the future, when we may lose other species of freshwater fish?