A groundbreaking £50,000 initiative is set in motion to support endangered European eels in their migration across challenging river terrains.
The West Cumbria Rivers Trust is taking significant steps by dismantling an additional weir at Gringer Burn near Longtown, making it more accessible for eels and other fish species to navigate upstream and downstream.
According to the environmental charity, European eel populations have plummeted by 90% over the last 30 years, facing risks of injury while attempting to leap over weirs during low water levels.
Assistant Director Luke Bryant remarked, “During the winter with heavy currents, eels might manage, but often they struggle during other times.”
This vital conservation effort, backed by the Environment Agency, will involve miners removing the weir over the next two weeks, paving the way for a healthier aquatic ecosystem.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk