|
FISH life is returning in abundance to many of Britain's rivers, the Environment Agency has revealed.
The news comes as the agency publishes a list of the 10 most improved rivers in England and Wales. In the days before refrigeration, salmon and trout from rivers provided a large proportion of Britain's fish consumption because it could get to inland towns fresher and quicker than sea caught coastal supplies. But fish life dried up because of massive industrial pollution. With one or two exceptions, Scotland's rivers were generally much less polluted during the industrial period.
Ian Barker, head of land and water at the agency, said Britain's rivers were "the healthiest for over 20 years". He said work with farmers, businesses and water companies to reduce pollution and improve water quality had paid off. River habitats had also benefited from reductions in the volume of water taken by industry and farmers, he said.
The UK still has to meet tough new EU targets on the water quality and ecology of its rivers and lakes by 2015.The Environment Agency - with partners such as Natural England - is targeting £18m of funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to help more rivers meet the new EU targets this year.
Environment Minister Lord Henley said England's rivers were "once home to many iconic species of wildlife". He added: "With Defra's £110m funding to help clean up England's rivers and the extensive work being done by the Environment Agency, water companies and landowners, we're already seeing fish and mammals, including salmon and otters, thriving once more."
The ten most improved rivers are:- The River Wandle, south-west London;River Thames, London; River Wear, County Durham;River Stour, Worcestershire;The River Darent, Kent;The River Dee, Wales and north-west England;River Nar, Norfolk;River Taff, south Wales;River Stour, Dorset;The Mersey Basin, north-west England.
Should people be 'stimulated' to eat white fish alternatives to cod?
