The fish pass was officially opened by Pauline Latham MP, and Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa from Derby City Council, together with the local EA Fisheries Team and is the largest built in the Midlands region.
The pass enables fish such as eel, lamprey, salmon and sea trout to pass through the first artificial barrier on the River Derwent on their way upstream and will deliver immediate benefits to coarse fish, help to improve the water environment and potentially open the way for the return of salmon into the catchment.
The work links to a programme of fish passage projects at nine weirs throughout the Trent and Derwent catchments being delivered in partnership between the Environment Agency, the Trent Rivers Trust and Derby City Council. The purpose of the work is to restore sustainable fish populations, and create a much healthier and more diverse River Derwent catchment. The ultimate aim is to improve the river’s status under the Water Framework Directive – EU legislation governing the water quality in rivers.
Jim Finnegan, Environment Agency Fisheries Technical Specialist said:
“This has been one of the most significant fisheries projects we have delivered in the Midlands region. Artificial barriers to fish migration in the form of weirs are an on-going legacy of the industrial revolution which began on the Derwent, and Borrowash fish pass will help start to overcome the wide-ranging environmental damage they cause. Along with all the other work taking place on the river, this will have hugely positive impact on this iconic waterway as well as the wider community.”
Pauline Latham MP commented:
“I am delighted to see the Borrowash fish pass complete and I know that the Environment Agency has worked hard to deliver this project. The fact that we could potentially see salmon returning to this river is exciting news.”?
Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa from Derby City Council commented:
“This project shows that by working together we can improve our local environment and bring fish stocks back to our rivers so they can be enjoyed by people everywhere.”?
