The owner of a British fishing complex blamed the death of a 25-year-old carp thought to be Britain's largest on irresponsible anglers leaving food behind.


Tony Bridgefoot, 53, owner of the Bluebell Lakes complex on Kingfisher Lake near Tansor, England, said Benson the 64-pound fish, valued at more than $33,000, was found floating on the surface of the lake while a quantity of uncooked nuts, which are toxic to fish, were found nearby, The Sun reported Tuesday.

"This looks like the work of some very irresponsible anglers. We are all rocked by Benson's death. He was an iconic carp," Bridgefoot said.

"Large quantities of nuts have been found on the bank and in the margins, empty bags have also been found in the skips," he said. "It seems his demise was caused by the introduction of foods that are harmful to fish."

Bridgefoot said the complex has not yet decided whether to replace Benson with another carp.

"Benson was the biggest common carp in the country and I certainly believe him to be the most famous," he said.