EA trials dye products for water quality at fisheries

The Environment Agency (EA) is set to trial two dye-based products as new methods of maintaining water quality at commercial fisheries in the UK.

According to the Angling Times, it is hoped that a radical blue dye can replace conventional aquatic weed killers, which will be banned by the government next month.

The dye-based products, known as Dyofix Pond Blue and Lake Shadow, kill algae and other plants that can be harmful to fish by blocking ultraviolet light and preventing photosynthesis.

Paul Wilkanowski, technical officer for fisheries at the EA, told the publication that the products could be useful for fishery managers looking to safely contain weed growth.

"I'll be trialling Dyofix Pond Blue on a fishery containing ten different aquatic plants to see how effective it is and to learn more about concentrations, water quality and how fast it dilutes," he said.

The use of many traditional aquatic weed killers has been forbidden under European law, following concerns that certain chemicals could be harmful to humans if they get into the water table.

Posted by Claire Manning