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Environment Agency boost barbel breeding ground

Friday the 13th  was a lucky day for the barbel population on the River Thames, because the Environment Agency spent the day creating new spawning sites for the fish.

The exciting project will reintroduce some of the river’s natural features, which have been lost through historical dredging.  15 tonnes of locally sourced gravel has been used to replenish the bed of the River Thames at Cricklade in Wiltshire. This scheme hopes to create the perfect breeding ground for fish such as chub, dace and barbel as well as an ideal habitat in which other wildlife can thrive.

The new gravel beds will create shallow, fast flowing areas that remain silt-free. A number of flow-loving fish species can then lay their eggs in the gravel beds and the emerging fry will shelter for several weeks in the gaps found among the stones.  

Fisheries Officer Lizzie Rhymes said: “I am delighted we are able to complete this project. It will make a real difference to fish as well as the diversity of wildlife in the area.”

The enhancement works to the River Thames at Cricklade is part of the Upper Thames Barbel project. Over the last two years 4,000 juvenile barbel have been released into the Thames between Hannigton Bridge and Newbridge. The barbel have been marked with a distinctive blue dye so that the Environment Agency can keep track of how the population is developing. Barbel can live up to 25 years and their presence indicates a high water quality river habitat.

How you can help

Anglers are being asked to do their bit by reporting any catches of barbel which have the distinctive blue spots on the underneath of the fish. This will help the Environment Agency build a more complete picture of the barbel species movements and survival rates.

Lizzie added: “We plan to monitor these barbel during our annual fisheries monitoring programme. However, we are also asking all anglers fishing the River Thames to look out for these marks. If anyone is lucky enough to catch a barbel, and it is marked, we would like to hear about it.”

If you catch a barbel, please contact Chris Bell on 01491 828358.