The Environment Agency stepped in to help this week after the warden of a North Yorkshire wildlife pond spotted unwanted guests.

The squatters were two fish that had been put into the pond illegally and were causing a lot of damage to the resident wildlife eating both the weed and the resident insect population.

Hassacar Pond in Dunnington, near York, has a rich water beetle population, including several rare species. It is also believed to be the only Yorkshire home to the scavenger water beetle and is home to a healthy population of the protected great crested newt.

Terry Weston of Dunnington Conservation Group contacted the Agency after seeing the fish and the damage they were doing to the plants and wildlife.

The Environment Agency's fisheries team leapt into action and set about capturing the squatters. Running a net through the water they easily caught the two fish, a chub and a grass carp of about 9lb, which were then re-homed.

John Littlewood, Environment Agency fisheries officer, said: "We were happy to help out and remove these fish as they were clearly causing a problem. If they had been left much longer they could easily have completely decimated the resident beetle and newt populations.

"The fish may have easily been put in the water by someone not realising the damage they could cause and they may have even been a lot smaller when introduced.

"It just goes to show that simply moving only two fish and introducing them to the wrong location can cause devastation."

The Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 sets out the law on moving fish. All transfers of fish need to be approved by the Environment Agency. Agency officers may assess the suitability of the proposed new habitat and in certain circumstances may also check the fish for disease.

Said Littlewood: "Agency fisheries officers are more than happy to advise people about the suitability of fish for their waters and about the movement procedures. However, we will seek to prosecute anybody moving fish illegally in order to protect the health of the region's fish and fisheries."

Anyone wishing to get advice about moving fish should contact their local Environment Agency offic.

Weekend Bookings

Tomorrow

Acaster - Shepherds

Howsham Bridge - York GPO

Laybourne Lakes (Marley) - CIU Saturday League

Poppleton - Local AC

Sunday

Acaster - Tang Hall Match Group

Beningbrough Village - Bishopthorpe and Acaster

Claxton Pond - New Earswick

Kirkham Abbey - Huntington WMC

Knaresborough - Ben Johnsons

Laybourne Lakes (Marley) - Cygnet AC (pegs 35 to 53)

Park View - BRS

Redhouse Middle - Clifton Hotel

Redhouse Top - Sea Horse

Healaugh Manor - Pudsey Royal

Updated: 10:02 Friday, July 18, 2003