Barge trials held as part of fish death investigations

AFTER the suspension in January of freight traffic following fish deaths on the Aire & Calder Navigation at Knottingley in West Yorkshire, a series of trial runs has taken place as part of further investigations.

During these, the barge was set to operate at progressively lighter loadings so that Canal & River Trust fisheries officers and colleagues could assess the situation.

It is understood that the first trial at a lighter than normal loading still caused some fish deaths although considerably fewer than previously. Loadings were set to be reduced further at each trial to try and establish if the barge can operate without damage to fish stocks.

Appealing to anglers not to respond to any provocation or get involved in trading insults, the Angling Trust asked them to send in any relevant images in support of its call to protect fish populations in the area.