nature

Rivers In The North East Get Fish Stocks Boost

The Environment Agency’s Natalie Wallace releases grayling into the River Pont at Matfen, Northumberland.

Alongside increasing vital fish stocks and supporting wider on the ground projects, the Environment Agency hopes the restocking will encourage people to go fishing and reap the well-known wellbeing benefits of the sport.

The Environment Agency’s fish release has seen 12,000 grayling released into Northumberland and County Durham at:

The River Pont at Matfen and Ponteland in Northumberland,
River Browney near Lanchester and Langley Moor.
Langley Beck at Staindrop,
River Gaunless at West Auckland,
River Wear at Bishop Auckland
Aldbrough Beck at Aldbrough St John,
and the River Skerne at Aycliffe Village

All the fish were reared at the Environment Agency’s national fish farm near Calverton, Nottinghamshire, using funding from rod licence sales.

The work is part of the Environment Agency’s ongoing plan to develop fisheries in the region to encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy angling safely.

Release will benefit ecology Phil Rippon, Fisheries Technical Specialist for the Environment Agency in the North East, said: "Releasing fish into our rivers is one of the many things we do to develop and enhance fisheries and encourage restoration. This week we’ve released 12,000 young grayling which we hope will benefit the ecology of our local rivers and encourage people to get out and start to enjoy fishing across the North East.

"We work closely with our partners to protect and enhance our fisheries. Our teams are on the ground responding to pollution incidents, working to improve habitats and water quality, and removing barriers to fish migration."

The Environment Agency releases fish into waterways annually. Fisheries officers carry out fish stocking to support projects that improve water quality and fisheries habitat, and to restore fish to previously impacted rivers. Improved fish stocks also helps to support angling clubs to boost local fishing spots.

All rod licence income is used to fund work to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries. You can buy your rod licence online