Nature River Mel Restoration Group
This summer saw the Environment Agency undertake one of their periodic electro-fishing surveys on the River Mel. This involves netting off stretches of the Mel and passing a small electric current through the water to stun any fish present. The fish are then counted, measured and released back into the river. Although this sounds quite drastic, the fish recover quickly with no adverse effects. In addition to taking measurements, small samples of scales are taken from some of the fish to check for parasites and to help assess the general health of the fish stock. The last survey was three years ago, and we are pleased to report a significant increase in the number of brown trout seen. Interestingly, the numbers of stickleback and bullheads has decreased over the same period. Unfortunately for them they have probably been eaten by the trout! While the Environment Agency was undertaking this survey they witnessed a pollution event, where the river lost its usual clarity and became cloudy and turbid. As the Environment Agency was present they were able to take oxygen measurements and then immediately report this pollution event to Anglian Water. The measured oxygen reading had dropped significantly due to this pollution.
Fortunately the river cleared while they were still on site. However, these pollution events are very concerning as fish cannot survive these conditions for long. Further investigation showed that on this occasion this pollution did not come from the Waste Treatment Plant that discharges into the Mel, but originated further upstream in Melbourn. If you see that the water in the river has become cloudy and there is no obvious reason, such as dogs in the river or even our volunteers on a working party, please contact Pollution Watch on 03457 145145 or report it online at anglianwater.co.uk/pollution. We urge you to call this number as soon as you see discoloured water with no obvious cause – please do not assume that someone else will! The people on the help-line are helpful and pro-active; they deal with all types of pollution events whether due to sewage overspills or any other type of pollution. Very few pollution incidents are deliberate and timely advice and intervention by the appropriate experts can often prevent any lasting damage to the river. Your call gives Anglian Water and the Environment Agency a chance to intervene and save wildlife – it is really too late once dead fish are seen floating on the surface of the water. Such an event would undo years of conversation work. To finish on a positive note, we are now seeing fish in the River Mel in numbers that have not been seen in decades. This is a real tribute to the hard work carried out by our members under the guidance of our partner agencies. For further information further information about the group, or if you would like to join one of our working parties, please contact info@rivermel.com or telephone Maureen Brierley on 01763 262752.
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