Could there be welcome signs of revival for Britain’s embattled migratory fish?
That’s the hope with excellent progress for one of our most threatened, the twaite shad, following extensive work on the River Severn. With EU and Lottery funding helping to complete a series of fish passes in 2022, at sites including Diglis, Holt and Linkum, shad have returned to spawning grounds denied them for 180 years, The Guardian recently reported.
FANCY A FISHING TRIP TO THE RIVER SEVERN? HERE ARE THE BEST PLACES TO STAY AND FISH.
At Diglis, a special viewing area has also proved popular with visitors as part of “Unlocking the Severn”, one of the biggest such projects in Europe, with a total of 24 fish species using the pass.
“We have been able to prove that during the migration season last spring, shad had been able to pass through all four structures that we built. It is amazing,” said Environment Agency specialist, Charles Crundwell.
The Severn is symptomatic of the issues facing many British rivers, with manmade barriers not only hindering shad and salmon, but coarse fish. As previously reported in Angling Times, studies show barbel, roach and other species travel large distances and while anglers love weir pools, barriers can intensify issues like predation and pollution.
Less encouraging reports concern eels, however. While survey work from the Sustainable Eel Group found the endangered species across
Somerset’s rivers, none were located in surrounding drains. Experts blame manmade barriers, including an eel-killing electric pumping station.
“Illegal fishing and loss of wetland habitat have contributed to declines,” said Ali Morse of The Wildlife Trusts.
“It is critical that we create and restore wetlands to give eels and other wildlife a future.”
MIGRATORY FISH: WINNERS AND LOSERS
TWAITE SHAD – 700 shad accessed previously unreachable spawning grounds on the Severn last year.
COARSE FISH – Work to unlock river barriers will also benefit species like barbel, roach and pike, which can travel surprisingly large distances.
SALMON - Could the cool, wet summer of 2023 prove kind to Atlantic salmon? Time will tell, but they still face multiple threats.
EELS – Urgent action is needed to combat a 90% decline since the 1980s.
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