Francesca Glyn-Jones - 4-Jan-2007 - Environment Agency officers will be releasing thousands of fish into the River Don to restore stocks killed in a freak pollution incident last July.

Around 10,000 fish including roach, bream and dace will be brought from the Environment Agency’s Calverton Fish Farm at Nottingham and released at locations in Kilnhurst, Conisborough, and Thrybergh as well as in Sheffield city centre on Wednesday, January 10.

Restocking recovering rivers helps to improve their ecology and water quality. This month’s restocking follows a stocking on the Don in December when 10,000 roach, 2,600 dace and 1,400 chub were released. Further stockings are planned for this March.

Fisheries team leader Pat O’Brien said: "The pollution in July killed thousands of fish, so we have boosted the Don’s natural recovery by stocking it with fish which were destined for other rivers in West and South Yorkshire.

"We have a three-year programme which targets rivers and stillwaters that would benefit most from restocking, but we have changed this programme to stock those rivers in greatest need."

Stocking is only one part of our recovery plan for the River Don and the team is talking to anglers about how to help restore the fishery to its full potential, and encourage them back to the riverbank.

In July Environment Agency officers worked against the clock to save fish in the River Don from Rotherham to Doncaster following a collapse in water oxygen levels.

The low levels were due to dry weather and a low river flow which was then followed by intense rainfall. This caused sewage from storm overflows to enter the river in Sheffield and Rotherham.