Fish rescued in advance of Bath dredging project
HUNDREDS of fish were rescued and rehomed by contractors working for the Canal & River Trust in advance of a major dredging project.
The work involving the six locks in the Bath Flight between Darlington Wharf and Bath Bottom Lock will make it easier for boats to move through the flight, which includes the second deepest lock in the country at 19ft 5in.
Dredging can bring down the levels of dissolved oxygen in the water – which could impact on the hundreds of fish that live in the canal. So, the trust’s first task was to safeguard species including bream, dace, roach and pike.
A specialist team put a low-level electric pulse through the water which temporarily stunned the fish, which were then carefully netted and moved to another part of the canal, well away from the dredging.
The trust is also keeping a close watch on other wildlife in the area, including daily checks to ensure the dredging activity doesn’t disturb any nesting birds along the canal.
Wales & South West regional director Mark Evans explained: “It is one of the busiest sections of the Kennet & Avon Canal, with up to 3000 boats passing through it each year. Our dredging work will make it easier for boats to move through the locks.
“In addition to keeping the canal open and available for people to use and enjoy, the wildlife that lives in and around the canal is front and centre of this important project – from the fish rescue and bird surveys to the reuse of the 3000m3 of nutrient-rich dredged sediment on to local farmers’ fields.”
He added: “The safety of our colleagues also remains a priority, with this project specifically designed to be safely carried out within the Government’s coronavirus guidance.”
The dredging work, which stretches along just under a mile of canal, began in late May and is expected to take about eight weeks.