Post by Hoppy on Aug 31, 2006 17:25:03 GMT -1
Environment Agency Wales has obtained £1.13m to help secure a sustainable future for migratory fish stocks in Wales. The funding has been obtained from the Welsh Assembly Government and the EU Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG).
Migratory fish species travel between the sea and freshwater in order to complete their life-cycles. Some, like salmon and sea trout are returning to their native streams to breed, whilst others, such as eels, come to our rivers to grow before returning to the sea to spawn. Several migratory fish, such as salmon and eels, are of commercial value, whilst species such as the sea lamprey and shad are endangered and of great conservation importance.
Thankfully these fish are benefiting from cleaner water in our rivers, but they still face major problems. Man made barriers to migration, such as weirs and dams can block fish migrating to their spawning grounds severely restricting fish numbers. Under the EU and the Welsh Assembly Government funded Migratory Fish Habitat Enhancement Project we will be able to open up rivers like the Ely and Monnow. Building fish passes on these rivers will allow fish to negotiate structures that have been in place since the industrial revolution.
"This project is a massive boost to Welsh rivers", says Dr Ben Wilson of Environment Agency Wales. "We've been able to deliver these sorts of schemes in West Wales with Objective 1 funding, but with this new funding we can look to the enhance the rivers outside the objective 1 area. Our long term aim is to ensure that all man-made weirs and barriers are passable by fish for the benefit of future stocks."
The project is funded through the EU's Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance, with match funding from the Welsh Assembly Government. Announcing the grant of European and Welsh Assembly Government, Mr Carwyn , Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside said that he was delighted that Environment Agency Wales' bid had been successful and that following changes in the European scheme, inland fisheries were now able to submit bids for funding for the first time.
Migratory fish species travel between the sea and freshwater in order to complete their life-cycles. Some, like salmon and sea trout are returning to their native streams to breed, whilst others, such as eels, come to our rivers to grow before returning to the sea to spawn. Several migratory fish, such as salmon and eels, are of commercial value, whilst species such as the sea lamprey and shad are endangered and of great conservation importance.
Thankfully these fish are benefiting from cleaner water in our rivers, but they still face major problems. Man made barriers to migration, such as weirs and dams can block fish migrating to their spawning grounds severely restricting fish numbers. Under the EU and the Welsh Assembly Government funded Migratory Fish Habitat Enhancement Project we will be able to open up rivers like the Ely and Monnow. Building fish passes on these rivers will allow fish to negotiate structures that have been in place since the industrial revolution.
"This project is a massive boost to Welsh rivers", says Dr Ben Wilson of Environment Agency Wales. "We've been able to deliver these sorts of schemes in West Wales with Objective 1 funding, but with this new funding we can look to the enhance the rivers outside the objective 1 area. Our long term aim is to ensure that all man-made weirs and barriers are passable by fish for the benefit of future stocks."
The project is funded through the EU's Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance, with match funding from the Welsh Assembly Government. Announcing the grant of European and Welsh Assembly Government, Mr Carwyn , Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside said that he was delighted that Environment Agency Wales' bid had been successful and that following changes in the European scheme, inland fisheries were now able to submit bids for funding for the first time.