ANGLERS fear a £4.5 million scheme to clear the water clarity at a prime venue will destroy the fishing.
Natural England hopes to introduce three fish barriers to isolate noted Norfolk Broads venue, Hoveton Great Broad, from the River Bure.
Concerns were raised at the start of a 20-day Environment Agency public consultation on the project that aims to clear the water.
Anglers fear the worse for the prime Norfolk Broads waters and the stocks of bream, roach, perch and pike.
John Currie, general secretary for the Pike Anglers’ Club, said: “It is a disaster waiting to happen. It is complete madness.
“The knock-on effect would be catastrophic for the ecosystem.”
Hoveton is rated by many anglers as the pick of the Norfolk Broads.
Norfolk Broads angling will be ‘devastated’
Stephen Roberts, chairman of Norwich and District Pike Club, added: “It will totally devastate the fishing industry on the Norfolk Broads.
“Similar projects have been done in different broads before, but never on a broad attached to a river.
“If you kill the bream off, that is going to be the end of them.
“The reeds, conditions and depth on Hoveton Great Broad are all perfect for the bream.
“It is the best broad. It does not need improving. It is a unique broad.
“People come from all over the country for bream fishing. It is a massive part of the Broads tourism industry.”
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We have actively conducted significant research for this project and we are aware of the findings that greatly contribute to the understanding of the behaviour of Broadland fish populations.
“This consultation is to allow the public to express their views on the project before a final decision is made.”
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