Fishing licence fees help restore a Suffolk river
A year-long project to reinvigorate a Suffolk river and increase the fish population has been completed.
Ben Norrington, fisheries officer, during the work.
The Environment Agency, Sudbury and Long Melford Angling Club, and Sudbury Commons Land Group, worked together to carry out improvements on a stretch of the River Stour.
The partnership work, which took place at Friars Meadow in Sudbury, cost almost £10,000 and was funded by fishing licence money.
The project involved bridge repairs, tree surgery, large scale removal of silt and vegetation and creating spawning areas.
The stretch of river before we carried out the work, see below for the after shot.
Previously it was not possible to fish along this stretch of river due to a number of factors, including the build-up of silt, however it is hoped there will now be increased opportunities for anglers.
The changes should also encourage fish to spawn and improve the water quality.
The stretch of the river after we carried out the work.
Ben Norrington, Environment Agency fisheries officer in East Anglia, said: “We are really pleased with how this partnership project has gone.
“The river has been regenerated to encourage better habitat and to also create recreational fishing opportunities.
“This section of river has been historically fished by various angling clubs for over 50 years and will hopefully be an asset that can be fished again.”
Remember to go fishing you need to purchase a fishing licence. You can do this here GOV.UK