09/03/2006 - Environment
Agency surveys have revealed that the River
Alt could be supporting more fish than ever
before.
The Environment Agency ecology team found
12 different species of fish - including
sea trout - in its most recent fish survey
at Bull Bridge, Aintree. Every year, officers
net fish at certain points along the river,
count, measure and weigh them, and then
return them to the water unharmed.
Environment Agency Ecological Appraisal
Officer Carole Grundy said: "We were
delighted with our assessment – the results
were the best we’ve ever recorded for the
Alt. As well as species like chub, roach,
carp and pike we also netted three small
sea trout, which was very encouraging."
"Sea trout are similar to salmon.
They migrate to the sea and then come back
to rivers to spawn. We only usually find
them in rivers where the water quality is
good and their presence tells us that the
water is the Alt is getting cleaner and
cleaner – good news for wildlife and for
local people."
Like many of the North West’s rivers, the
River Alt has suffered from pollution over
the years. However, the Environment Agency,
water companies, local industry and organisations
like the Mersey Basin Campaign have worked
hard to clean up the river in recent years
and with the discovery of the sea trout,
the rewards are now starting to become clear.
The Environment Agency hopes that by continuing
to regulate potential polluters effectively,
and by working closely with partner organisations,
it will see the Alt continue to improve
until the river has shaken off the legacy
of the region’s industrial heritage.
