Fish introductions and their management in the English Lake District

For biogeographical reasons, the English Lake District contains relatively few native fish species although it encompasses 14 major lakes and many smaller water bodies. Nevertheless, it is nationally important for fish biodiversity because of the presence of vendace, Coregonus albula (L.), whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), and Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), while recreational angling contributes significantly to the local tourism industry. Several recent illegal introductions of fish species have been observed at several lakes, probably as a result of anglers live‐baiting for pike, Esox lucius L., including roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.) and ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.), where they now threaten native species through competition and predation. As the removal of introduced populations is practically impossible, their management is limited to preventing further introductions. A description is given of legislation introduced in 2002 to achieve this objective by banning the use of live‐baits in 14 lakes of high conservation importance.