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Canal's fish to be moved for lock repairs

Repairs to the famous flight of locks at Caen Hill are due to take place - once the fish are moved to safety Credit: PA

Work starts today to remove 300 lbs of fish from Caen Hill Locks in Devizes so repairs can take place.

The Canal and River Trust will use a technique called 'electrofishing' - an electrical current will make the fish rise to the surface so they can be easily removed.

Electrofishing allows us to safely locate and move the fish, without hurting them at all. It’s also a great chance to see the wide variety of life our canals support, and we’d expect species like roach, bream perch and carp to all make an appearance.

– Becca Dent, Canal & River Trust
This pike was relocated using electrofishing when the lock gates were installed in 2010 Credit: PA

The 200-year-old series of locks will then be drained so the lock gates can be repaired.