15-May-2006 - The Environment
Agency has stepped up research on fish from the
River Stour in Ashford to find ways of protecting
them in the future. The Environment Agency Board
will visit the river on Tuesday 16 May 2006 to
see and hear about the work being done by Fisheries
Officers in Kent.
A 2004 survey showed male fish
across the country are exhibiting female characteristics
as a result of exposure to treated sewage effluent.
The Environment Agency increased its tests on
fish in the River Stour after around a quarter
of male roach at Ashford Sewage Treatment Works
were found to have varying degrees of ‘feminisation’.
The gonads of ‘feminised’ male
fish, instead of being typical testes, contain
immature eggs that are normally only found in
female fish. This occurs because the fish are
exposed to oestrogenic chemicals, which enter
rivers in effluent from sewage treatment works.
Ashford has been designated
as a future growth area. The increase in sewage
discharge resulting from this development could
impact on fish in the River Stour. The Environment
Agency in Kent is monitoring fish populations
at sites in the vicinity of Ashford Sewage Works
to find out how an increase in the volume of sewage
discharged into the River Stour might affect the
fish populations. This research will then help
establish ways of protecting the fish from these
effects.
Barbara Young, Chief Executive
of the Environment Agency, said:
"Research has shown that
sewage effluent can cause a reduction in the fertility
of individual male fish. However, at present we
do not fully understand the impacts of oestrogens
in sewage effluent on fish populations.
"We are working with others
to identify the effects that sewage effluent has
on fish populations and discover methods of removing
the chemicals that are potentially harmful to
fish.
"At a time of growth in
Ashford and the South East, it is important that
development goes ahead in a way that will protect
and enhance the natural environment.
"By carrying out this crucial
research now, we can find ways of ensuring the
future development of Ashford does not harm the
valuable, but sensitive, River Stour."
