National
Press Office - 12-Aug-2008 - A new strategy
through to 2021 to help protect the iconic
salmon and sea trout from the complex environmental
challenges they face was launched today
(Tuesday) by the new Environment Agency
Chairman Lord Chris Smith.
Officially opening the
Blachford Fish Pass in Devon, Lord Smith,
said: “The dramatic sight of a salmon or
sea trout leaping from the water is one
of nature’s greatest spectacles.
“These special fish
are very valuable as they bring social,
economic and environmental benefits to local
communities. Their sensitivity and need
for a good quality environment means we
need to work together with our partners
to address the complex factors affecting
them.”
Work to protect these
fish, which attract tourism and act as indicators
of a healthy environment, has already improved
stocks in some rivers and has helped increase
salmon numbers in England and Wales by 40,000
in the last ten years. The new work programme,
‘Better sea trout and salmon fisheries strategy’,
which the Environment Agency consulted widely
on now includes goals to protect sea trout
as well as salmon.
Lord Smith continued:
“The Better sea trout and salmon fisheries
strategy will help us focus our work over
the next decade to be more efficient and
effective. It’s not just about us – we need
everyone with an interest in our rivers
to work in partnership, to help bring more
sea trout and salmon into more rivers, bringing
more benefit.
“It is a privilege to
open the Blachford Fish Pass to mark the
launch of this strategy as the project encompasses
much of what our strategy is calling for.
The pass will help salmon and trout reach
their spawning ground safely, and could
not have happened without the hard work
and partnership of the Yealm River Association,
Action for Wildlife, Westcountry Rivers
Trust, and the Environment Agency.”
The strategy sets out
a number of key aims the Environment Agency
wants to see achieved by 2021, which includes:
improving the quality
and increase the availability of good quality
habitats,
promoting and realising better land management
practices,
working with partners to remove or reduce
impacts of barriers affecting fish migration,
reducing the exploitation of at-risk stocks,
making the most effective use of resources
by working to the strength of our partners,
establishing sea trout and salmon as widely
recognised environmental icons.
Paul Knight, Director of the Salmon and
Trout Association, said: "The Salmon
and Trout Association very much welcomes
the Environment Agency's new strategy, especially
the inclusion of sea trout. We have been
consulted at all stages during the evolution
of the strategy, which is an excellent example
of the Environment Agency involving partners
in a major project.
“It is fitting that
another partnership, the Blachford Fish
Pass on the River Yealm, should be chosen
for Lord Smith to launch the strategy. Opening
up new spawning and juvenile areas to migratory
fish is an essential part of managing and
conserving fish stocks. The Environment
Agency has joined forces with local fisheries
and environmental interests to make this
happen, helping improve the river's salmon
and trout populations.”
The work at Blachford,
carried out by the Environment Agency’s
workforce, involved removing the existing
7m long stone upper weir and replacing it
with a ‘pool and traverse’ fish pass for
fish to swim up. At least 15km of spawning
grounds has been opened up by the new fish
pass and as many as 50 sea trout and salmon
were seen to ascend in the first day it
was used.
The ‘Better sea trout
and salmon fisheries strategy’ is available
for download from the Environment Agency
publications catalogue - link on the left.
+ More
Environment Agency press
statement in response to the Periodic Review
2009 (PR09) draft business plans submission
from water companies to Ofwat
National Press Office
- 11-Aug-2008 - Tricia Henton, Director
of Environment Protection at the Environment
Agency, said: "The Periodic Review
2009 is an opportunity for all organisations
concerned with water management to work
together to secure the future of our water
environment.
"The Environment
Agency welcomes the water companies’ draft
business plans and we will be working hard
over the coming weeks to ensure they represent
a good deal for the environment and consumers
in the long term.
"In particular,
we will be looking at the water companies’
commitment to reducing pollution in many
rivers and coastal regions; the increased
strain on water demand through growing population
and the impact of climate change.
"Our priorities
for PR09 are to ensure a sufficient water
supply for all whilst still protecting the
environment; a programme of environmental
improvements through the National Environment
Programme and ensuring water companies continue
to minimise leakage and pollution whilst
offering greater protection from flooding.
"We will
send our review to Ofwat in October and
continue to work with stakeholder organisations
and water companies as they develop their
final business plans."
