Thousands of fish introduced to West waterways

Jonathan HolmesWest of England
News imageEnvironment Agency A man wearing camouflage gear holds a bucket of fish just above a river, ready to pour it in Environment Agency
A total of 6,950 fish have been added to lakes, ponds and rivers across the West

Thousands of fish have been added to waterways across the West to top up stocks.

The Environment Agency said it had used money raised from rod fishing licenses to add barbel, dace, rudd, roach, bream, tench and crucians back to lakes, rivers and ponds.

Spokesperson Jim Flory said: "Anglers are better known for catching fish but it wouldn't be possible to put fresh fish back into the places they are needed without the income from their rod licences.

"Giving back fish is good for the environment and everyone and everything reliant on it."

The fish have been added to the following places:

  • River Tone in Somerset
  • Century Ponds in Keynsham
  • Burbrook Lake in Melksham
  • Crookwood Lake in Devizes
  • Players Golf Club in Chipping Sodbury
  • Gall Pond in Tortworth
  • River Avon in Bristol
  • Pythouse Lakes in Tisbury
News imageEnvironment Agency One man standing on the back of a van, which has a sign saying "calverton fish farm, live fish" on the back. He is standing holding a rod and net over a bucket, while another man stands on the side looking at himEnvironment Agency
The fish were reared at the Environment Agency's fish farm in Calverton, Nottinghamshire

The agency said some of the original fish in the rivers had succumbed to disease, pollution and high temperatures which caused reduced water flow in the summer.

The fish are introduced during winter when water is cooler, and ahead of the spring spawning season, the agency added.

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