River adapted to preserve fish after fall in numbers

ECOLOGISTS HAVE adapted parts of the River Seven in Yorkshire to preserve its native fish due to concerns that numbers were dwindling.

Yorkshire Water has been working alongside the East Yorkshire Rivers Trust (EYRT), the Wild Trout Trust and the Seven Angling Club in Sinnington, Ryedale, to carry out the project.

The company secured £8,000 from its biodiversity fund while the EYRT also obtained a Fisheries Improvement Grant from the Environment Agency.

The money was used to introduce large wood debris to deflect flows away from damaged banks and provide cover for the fish.

The environment has also been altered to provide a new river flow which is more in keeping with the fish’s habitat and to improve chances of fish spawning so species such as brown trout and grayling can thrive once again.

Principal ecologist at Yorkshire Water Dr Ben Aston said: “When offered, we jumped at the chance to help out.

“The River Seven is a stunning stretch of river and maintaining its environment is very important to us. We were concerned by the drop in native fish numbers so we are thrilled that helping the EYRT and Seven Angling Club can ensure the river will maintain its ‘good ecological status’ for self-sustaining fish species.”