A grassroots collaboration between UK pike anglers and leading scientists is giving fresh momentum to efforts to tackle harmful algal blooms on the Norfolk Broads.
With nearly £4,000 raised by the angling community and hands-on support in water sampling, this research – led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) in partnership with the Environment Agency and the Broads Authority – aims to better understand and prevent toxic Prymnesium blooms.
These algal blooms can occur on the Broads and produce toxins that threaten fish stocks, local biodiversity, and East Anglia’s thriving angling industry, which contributes more than £100 million annually to the local economy.
Researchers at UEA are working to better understand the environmental, chemical and biological conditions that trigger these blooms and find solutions to prevent their harmful impact.
While this long-term research project has been active for nearly a decade, with the return of researcher Prof Rob Field to UEA, this work is regaining momentum and support.
The initiative has received strong support from Norfolk’s angling community, which has donated nearly £4,000 to the research effort and is actively assisting in water sampling across the Broads National Park.
This grassroots involvement underscores the urgency of tackling this environmental challenge and the strong public interest in finding sustainable solutions.
Prof Field, pro-vice chancellor for UEA’s Faculty of Science, said: “This research is crucial for the future of the Broads’ ecosystem and economy. With the support of local anglers and environmental agencies, we are making significant strides in understanding and heading off harmful algal blooms.”
John Currie, Chairman of the Norwich and District Pike Club, added: “Local anglers well know the devastating effects caused by a toxic Prymnesium bloom and the negative effects on the whole ecosystem. “My experience over many years in communicating with scientists from around the globe who specialise on the subject qualifies me to say how gratified I am that we now have on our doorstep scientists who are world leaders on all aspects of Prymnesium. I look forward to what Rob and his team come up with next as their past work has been inspirational.”