OVER two dozen different varieties of fish have been found in the River Severn at Diglis Fish Pass thanks to the trust’s underwater cameras.
Diglis Fish Pass was built in Worcester as part of the Unlocking the Severn Project to help the marine populations navigate Victorian-built weirs during migrations upstream to spawn, including the endangered twaite shad.
A unique underground viewing gallery allows visitors, including schoolkids, to see what lies beneath the water.
Severn Trent was among the partners in the scheme after providing crucial access to the site, opposite its water treatment plant.
Now, project leaders – Severn Rivers Trust and the Canal & River Trust – have revealed underwater cameras have so far captured an astonishing 27 varieties of fish, including pike, salmon, bream, carp, trout, chub, barbel and perch.
Since opening to the public two years ago, some lucky visitors have also spotted a rare family of inquisitive otters living near the Diglish Fish Pass, through the underwater viewing window.
Alice Fallon, from the Severn Rivers Trust charity, said: “It’s wonderful. People can go down and stand in the chamber and see fish swimming past the window – a very exciting and unique experience.
“Diglis Fish Pass been great for public engagement as well.
“We know that the river is a really important eco-system and the cameras were set up to try and understand which species of fish are using the river and their behaviours.”
The scheme was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the European Union LIFE Programme and saw four fish passes built along the Severn, from Worcester to Stourport.
Alice said: “It was an innovative partnership project, nothing like this had ever been done before.
“We are lucky to be able to work with such a forward-thinking water company like Severn Trent.”
Corinne Spiller, from the Canal & River Trust, said: “Unlocking the Severn was an incredible collaborative project to help restore a once-renowned species of fish to the River Severn.”
Severn Trent has a team of River Rangers who cover the region, working closely with a variety of partners to help improve the health of our waterways.
Gareth Mead, team manager of the River Rangers, said: “It is wonderful to hear so many varieties of fish have been caught on camera at the Diglis Fish Pass.”
