CRUCIANS POSING FOR THE CAMERAS
Photo competition highlights plight of a favourite fish
ADRIVE to promote and safeguard one of the UK’s most-loved species is celebrating its best ever year.
Some of the sport’s biggest names have helped make the 2017 ‘Catch A Crucian Month’ one to remember, with the highlight of the initiative the ever-popular photographic competition sponsored by Angling Direct and Bait-Tech.
It’s part of a joint initiative by the Angling Trust, the National Crucian Conservation Project (NCCP) and the Association of Crucian Anglers to assist the recognition of ‘true’ crucians, encourage more anglers to fish for them and highlight the need to develop specific crucian waters to help spread the species across the UK.
A judging panel, including angling legend Chris Yates, award-winning wildlife photographer and film maker Hugh Miles and NCCP founder Chris Turnbull had their work cut out, with hundreds of entrants in each category.
Winner of Best Crucian Picture was Yorkshire’s Colin Hebb. Ten-year-old Grace Sharp won Best Junior Picture, while a sunrise over a small crucian pond near Donhead St Andrew in Wiltshire netted Duncan Hitchens first prize in the Best Scenic Picture category.
Best Short Crucian Video, entitled ‘Abshot Gold’ was made by Stuart Harris.
“Crucians are a most loved summer species that over a fairly short space of time became very rare indeed,” said Chris Turnbull, founder of the NCCP.
“Efforts to conserve them have really taken off since the National Crucian Conservation Project was set up, and now their future is looking increasingly promising.
“What a great idea this photo competition is as part of the process of bringing crucians back to the place they surely belong – cherished at the heart of angling.”
For a full list of the winners in each category and to find out more about the initiative visit www.anglingtrust.net