PRESS RELEASE
Issued: 27 February
Thousands of fish to be rehomed from Caen Hill to Erewash Canal
Thousands of fish are being moved from the historic Caen Hill lock flight on the Kennet & Avon
Canal this week, to be rehomed on a stretch of the Erewash Canal in Nottinghamshire.
The operation is being carried out by the Canal & River Trust – the new charity responsible for
2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales – to benefit aquatic wildlife on the famous flight in
Devizes, and re-populate a stretch on the Erewash following a pollution incident in 2012.
The fish, mainly roach, perch and bream, will be temporarily stunned with a low electric pulse from
a probe, before being carefully netted and transported to Nottinghamshire by vehicles with
specially oxygenated water tanks, where they will be released in to their new habitat.
Caen Hill traditionally sees high levels of fish, because water quality and living conditions are good,
and so management of fish levels is required periodically to maintain an ecological balance which
is important for dragonflies, damselflies and aquatic plants.
Oda Dijksterhuis, ecologist at the Canal & River Trust, said: “Species like roach and perch are
already in good numbers on the Kennet & Avon Canal and this activity will not only help to restore
the fish population on the Erewash following last year’s serious pollution incident but will also help
to maintain biodiversity at Caen Hill.
“We have carried out similar relocation projects in the last three or four years at Caen Hill. The
results have been fantastic for other aquatic wildlife, with water clarity improving significantly and
various rare and special water creatures as well as aquatic plants, such as potamogetons and
hornworts, returning that we haven’t seen in the canal for years.
“We’ll take great care of the fish throughout the operation. Our specialist fish rescue contractors
use a low electric pulse which stuns the fish, they will then be netted and sensitively transferred to
their new home.
“The Trust cares for the largest coarse fishery in the country and carrying out projects like this is
essential to maintain biodiversity and make sure fish, and other wildlife, continue to flourish in the
nation’s canals and rivers.”
The fish are taken from the side ponds on Caen Hill, which were originally designed 200 years ago
as ‘holding tanks’ to store the water needed to operate the flight, due to the steepness of the
terrain. Together, these side ponds represent one of the largest stretches of open water in this part
of Wiltshire and their grassy banks are great wildlife habitat for species including grass snakes,
various birds and water voles.
Canal & River Trust, Toll House, Delamere Terrace, London, W2 6ND
T 0203 3204 4429 E press.office@canalrivertrust.org.uk W www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Twitter @CanalRiverTrust
Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Canal & River Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales
with company number 7807276 and registered charity number 1146792, registered office address: First Floor North, Station House, 500
Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1BB
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Contractors will introduce the fish to the Erewash Canal in Long Eaton. The canal suffered a
serious pollution incident in September following a major fire at the Stanton Ironworks in Stantonby-Dale. Pollutants from the works leaked into the canal causing oxygen levels to decline
suddenly. The Canal & River Trust rescued around 90% of fish in affected areas – over 5000lbs –
and relocated them to other parts of the canal untouched by the pollution. The fish now being put
into the canal will restore and enhance the fish population and ensure a more even spread of fish
along the length of the canal.
Ends
Notes to editors:
For more media information please contact Joe Coggins on 020 3204 4410
joe.coggins@canalrivertrust.org.uk
The Canal & River Trust is the guardian of 2,000 miles of historic waterways across England and
Wales. We are among the largest charities in the UK, maintaining the nation’s third largest
collection of Listed structures, as well as museums, archives, navigations and hundreds of
important wildlife sites.
We believe that our canals and rivers are a national treasure and a local haven for people and
wildlife. It is our job to care for this wonderful legacy – holding it in trust for the nation in perpetuity
and giving people a greater role in the running of their local waterways
www.canalrivertrust.org.uk