- Thousands of fish bred at Environment Agency's national fish farm in Calverton, Nottinghamshire provide a festive boost to West Midlands waterways
- Releasing fish encourages river restoration and recovery and helps to boost existing wild fisheries
- The Environment Agency is encouraging people to try fishing, which has wellbeing benefits
A total of 34,600 fish have been stocked into waterways in the West Midlands, including roach, rudd, tench, bream, dace, barbel and crucian carp. They have all been reared at the Environment Agency's National Coarse Fish Farm in Calverton, Nottinghamshire.
Every year, the fish farm breeds coarse fish for release into rivers and still waters across England to help boost fish populations. The stockings also provide a welcome boost to the angler experience in the area.
Responsible fishing provides a good opportunity to connect with nature and feel the range of benefits doing so can bring. However, it is important to remember that a valid rod fishing licence is required, and anglers must adhere to fishing byelaws and fishery rules.
Tom Morgan, Fisheries Technical Officer for the Environment Agency in the West Midlands, said:
"While there are healthy amounts of fish in the West Midlands waterways, occasionally a helping hand is needed to restore the natural balance following a pollution incident or decline, or to create new fisheries and opportunities for anglers.
"The work of our national fish farm is funded by income from licence fees, so in the lead up to Christmas it's great to see the fish farm continuing to produce strong and healthy fish needed for stocking and recovery. The fish and larvae they produce plays an important role in the Environment Agency's work to restore sustainable fisheries in England.
"The stocking is part of an annual programme funded by income from rod licence sales. Stocking occurs in winter because water temperatures are low and this minimises any stress on the fish, giving them the best possible survival rates.
"Christmas is a good time to introduce the fish into rivers, as it enables them to acclimatise to their new surroundings, ahead of their spawning season in the spring. Fish also play a critical role in sustaining a river's finely-balanced eco-system, so the wider natural environment will also get a festive boost."
You need a rod fishing licence to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel with a rod and line in England. Get yours from www.gov.uk/fishing-licences.
