5-Apr-2006 - The Environment
Agency is hoping that the wild brown trout reared
in a Kent classroom will improve fish stocks in
the River Darent following their release on Monday
(3 April 2006).
In January, the Environment
Agency delivered wild trout eggs to the Kemnal
Technology College in Bromley, as part of the
wild brown trout enhancement project. The students
reared the eggs and following successful hatching
they have been released into the river at Lullingstone
Castle.
The college kept and reared
the eggs in a specially designed school yard incubation
box. This gave the eggs the best chance of survival
by providing them with natural and pristine conditions
to develop in. This project has also allowed the
students to study and monitor the fish as they
have developed.
From approximately 50 eggs given
to the school, 30 fry managed to hatch and this
equates to a 60 per cent survival rate. A further
102 fry were also released into the Kent river.
The Environment Agency will now monitor the river
to check on the progress of the fish.
The release of the wild brown
trout comes as the Environment Agency completes
a second project to restore the River Darent at
Lullingstone Castle in Shoreham, Kent. Extensive
work has been carried out by Environment Agency
Officers to return the river to its natural chalk
habitat, improve wildlife populations and create
a beautiful natural landscape.
Chris Conroy, Environment Agency
Fisheries Technical Specialist in Kent, said:
"The release of the trout at Lullingstone
Castle comes at a great time because we have just
completed some fantastic work to improve and restore
the river there. This area was once unsuitable
for trout to spawn but our work means these fish,
reared in the classroom, will have the best possible
chance of survival once in the wild.
"We hope this project encourages
the students to take an interest in the local
environment. By enthusing youngsters today, we
can give brown trout and other wetland wildlife
a better chance for tomorrow."
Lullingstone Castle originates
from the 16th Century. This important historic
site found within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty lies on the banks of the River
Darent.
