Post by Hoppy on Nov 18, 2007 16:37:42 GMT -1
14,000 new aquatic residents for Staffordshire rivers
Staffordshire gained another 14,000 new residents this week when the Environment Agency released thousands more baby fish into Staffordshire rivers.
On Tuesday, 13 November 2007, Fisheries Officers found new homes for 2,000 of these fish. A thousand of them, all chub or dace, were released into the River Churnet. This follows the release of ten thousand young salmon into the Churnet only last month.
In the 19th century, the Churnet was possibly the worst polluted river in Europe and fish populations declined as a result of the industrial pollution. Recent improvements in water quality have now made it possible for fish to live in the river once again.
On Tuesday, we also re-stocked the River Sow with a further five hundred baby barbel, and five hundred rudd were released into Lady Corner Junior Pool, Bentilee, Stoke upon Trent. This pool is in the process of being developed for training young & disabled anglers in the skills of angling. It is owned by Stoke upon Trent City Council and managed by The Potteries Angling Society.
On Wednesday and Thursday this week it was the turn of the River Trent, where Fisheries Officers have re-homed a further 12,000 baby fish. Five and half thousand barbel, dace and roach were released into the river at Stone, 5,000 barbel, dace and roach were released at Weston and a further 1,500 barbel and dace at Wolseley Bridge.
The young fish were all born and raised at the Environment Agency’s Calverton Fish Farm in Nottingham.
Fisheries Officer, Mick Buxton, says: “After years of industrial pollution, Staffordshire’s rivers are once more teeming with life. The Churnet, for example, was once little more than an open sewer. Now, thanks to the efforts of the Environment Agency and local businesses, it is a beautiful river once more.
“Targeted releases of young fish, such as the chub, dace and barbel which found new homes in the Sow, Churnet and Trent this week, help to make sure that fish populations continue to thrive. The breeding and release of these fish is funded by anglers through rod licence money. The more anglers buy rod licences, the more work we can do.
But good water quality is vital to the survival of these young fish. We urge people to help them thrive by taking care to ensure that the rivers do not become polluted. Everyone has a part to play in securing their future by making sure the river stays clean and reporting any instances of pollution to us immediately.”
Pollution happens when substances such as oil and chemicals, or organic matter such as agricultural waste or milk, enter the river through surface water drains, which are designed to collect only rainwater. Sometimes, washing machines, showers or toilets can also be connected inadvertently to the surface water system, leading to pollution incidents. Environment management officers regularly sample the river to ensure that water quality remains good. We may prosecute anyone who illegally discharges waste into a watercourse.
Local people, especially those who use the river for recreation, can help by reporting any pollution to us immediately on our free 24hr Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60
Staffordshire gained another 14,000 new residents this week when the Environment Agency released thousands more baby fish into Staffordshire rivers.
On Tuesday, 13 November 2007, Fisheries Officers found new homes for 2,000 of these fish. A thousand of them, all chub or dace, were released into the River Churnet. This follows the release of ten thousand young salmon into the Churnet only last month.
In the 19th century, the Churnet was possibly the worst polluted river in Europe and fish populations declined as a result of the industrial pollution. Recent improvements in water quality have now made it possible for fish to live in the river once again.
On Tuesday, we also re-stocked the River Sow with a further five hundred baby barbel, and five hundred rudd were released into Lady Corner Junior Pool, Bentilee, Stoke upon Trent. This pool is in the process of being developed for training young & disabled anglers in the skills of angling. It is owned by Stoke upon Trent City Council and managed by The Potteries Angling Society.
On Wednesday and Thursday this week it was the turn of the River Trent, where Fisheries Officers have re-homed a further 12,000 baby fish. Five and half thousand barbel, dace and roach were released into the river at Stone, 5,000 barbel, dace and roach were released at Weston and a further 1,500 barbel and dace at Wolseley Bridge.
The young fish were all born and raised at the Environment Agency’s Calverton Fish Farm in Nottingham.
Fisheries Officer, Mick Buxton, says: “After years of industrial pollution, Staffordshire’s rivers are once more teeming with life. The Churnet, for example, was once little more than an open sewer. Now, thanks to the efforts of the Environment Agency and local businesses, it is a beautiful river once more.
“Targeted releases of young fish, such as the chub, dace and barbel which found new homes in the Sow, Churnet and Trent this week, help to make sure that fish populations continue to thrive. The breeding and release of these fish is funded by anglers through rod licence money. The more anglers buy rod licences, the more work we can do.
But good water quality is vital to the survival of these young fish. We urge people to help them thrive by taking care to ensure that the rivers do not become polluted. Everyone has a part to play in securing their future by making sure the river stays clean and reporting any instances of pollution to us immediately.”
Pollution happens when substances such as oil and chemicals, or organic matter such as agricultural waste or milk, enter the river through surface water drains, which are designed to collect only rainwater. Sometimes, washing machines, showers or toilets can also be connected inadvertently to the surface water system, leading to pollution incidents. Environment management officers regularly sample the river to ensure that water quality remains good. We may prosecute anyone who illegally discharges waste into a watercourse.
Local people, especially those who use the river for recreation, can help by reporting any pollution to us immediately on our free 24hr Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60