Fishy business: Ground Maintenance team help stock Colne with new fish

The Environment Agency (EA) released juvenile fish from several species including roach, dace, chub and barbel into the Colne at Rickmansworth with assistance from the council’s Grounds Maintenance officers.

The EA only completes fish stockings on rivers as a last resort option when there is strong evidence of declining fish populations, as was found near Rickmansworth. The release location was chosen due to the vast enhancements planned for the river as part of the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Project as well as on-going habitat improvement works agreed with a local angling club further downstream.

However, the EA could not easily reach their preferred stocking location due to unfavourable ground conditions, which is where the council’s Ground Maintenance team stepped in. Using their tractor, they were able to get the EA’s trailer close the riverbank for a quick and efficient release operation, in what is, according to the EA, the first ever fish stocking in the region using council-owned machinery.

Cllr Jon Tankard, the council’s Lead Member for Climate Change and Sustainability, said: “This is a prime example of partnership working that resulted in huge wins for our local environment. A healthy fish population is very beneficial for the River Colne as they help to sustain the rivers balanced ecosystem.

“With the support of local angling clubs, the EA will monitor whether the released fish, some of which have been marked with a harmless dye, are successfully establishing in the river as they adapt to their new environment and see if the wider fish population shows signs of recovery.

“The EA were incredibly grateful of the council’s support – and I am sure the fish were reel-y appreciative of it too.”