EA to review policy on stocking brown trout

“Stocking trout is a widely practised and legitimate fishery management tool, and many successful fisheries are regularly stocked to improve catches, thereby increasing the fishery value and creating benefits for the local economy,” explained Environment Agency Fisheries Policy and Process Manager Godfrey Williams.

“About one million brown trout are released into rivers and lakes every year in England and Wales. Most farmed fish have been subject to long term domestication and are bred for appearance and rapid growth rates, but are not necessarily well suited to survival in the wild. However, when released into rivers some of these trout will breed with wild stocks, potentially reducing the viability of the population as a whole.

“We have a responsibility to make sure the right policies are in place to allow wild trout stocks and the fisheries they support to thrive well into the future, particularly given the predicted changes to our climate. We are now analysing the most up-to-date research and listening to the advice of the leading experts in trout fisheries management to decide whether or not the current stocking policy needs tightening.”

The seminar was attended by representatives from many of the country’s leading fisheries organisations and associations, including the British Trout Association ,British Trout Farmers Restocking Association, The Game Conservancy Trust, the Salmon and Trout Association, University of Hull International Fisheries Institute, the Wild Trout Trust,and Wiltshire Fisheries. Several fisheries consultants also attended.

The review will take into account the findings of several studies undertaken as part of policy development within the Environment Agency’s National Trout and Grayling Fisheries Strategy. These studies include an in depth review of the genetic impacts of stocking on wild trout populations, and an investigation into the performance of stocked triploid and diploid trout and their effects on wild fish. This latter study was carried out in partnership with The Game Conservancy Trust and part-funded by fishery owners.

For further information on the Environment Agency’s National Trout and Grayling Fisheries Strategy please visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish, or contact your local Environment Agency fisheries team. The draft policy proposals on the future of brown trout stocking will be on the website in October 2007 for anyone to comment.