Thousands of fish that were released to refill Cheshire River environmental authority

A total of 4,000 fish, including Chub Dace and Roach, were released into the Weaver River at two important locations in Cheshire.

The re -filling aims to fill up the population again in October 2023 after two pollution incidents, which unfortunately led to the loss of thousands of fish.

The two most important locations include Mill Island Weir and downstream in “The Willows”.

The refill is carried out where the natural population has been exhausted or create new fishing and possibilities for anglers. It occurs in winter because the water temperatures are low and this minimizes any stress on the fish, which gives the best possible survival rates.

A picture of the team that fills the fish back into the river weaver

February is a good time to introduce the fish into rivers because they enable them to get used to their new environment before their spawning season.

Fish also play a crucial role in maintaining the finely balanced ecosystem of a river, so that the wider natural environment is also given a helping hand due to the re -filling.

James Grosscurth, fishing officer of the environmental agency in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, said recently:

Sometimes our local fish populations need a helping hand, especially after pollution incidents.

After careful and consistent surveillance, increased inspections and enforcement of agricultural locations and an improved presence of the officer upstream of the Nantwich Lake, we were pleased to confirm that the water quality in the river weaver can offer a healthy habitat for thousands of new recruits.

This first re -filling will be part of a three -year program, which is financed by ROD license income to promote natural restoration. Our thanks go to the Nantwich Angling Society, who worked tirelessly together with our officers to achieve this.

All fish introduced to the Weber were raised on the National Grobe Fish Farm of the Environment Agency in Calverton, Nottinghamshire.

Every year, the environmental authority puts almost half a million fish from nine different species into the rivers of England. The fish farm is an important role to improve fishing across the country.

Close up of fish that enter the river while refilling.

Fishing officials use data from national surveys to determine where problems with poor breeding, problems with survival rates or where the number is affected after a pollution incident.

These surveys ensure that fish are released in the right places and where the need is greatest and supports Angling clubs to increase the local fishing places.

Fishing officials inspect the ROD licenses around the clock throughout the northwest and constantly work on cases of illegal fishing and other fishing crimes associated with it. The illegally illegally fishing can lead to a fine of up to 2,500 GBP, and criminals can also have their fishing equipment confiscated.

It is easy to buy a rod fishing license online. Get yours here: Buy a rod fishing license: If you need a license – GOV.UK

Illegal fishing and other crimes can be reported in the incident hotline of the environmental authority on 0800 807060.