5000 FISH RELOCATED AS PART OF TEDDINGTON LOCK REPAIR WORK
An estimated 5000 fish, made up of ELEVEN different species, were safely removed from Teddington Launch Lock, which is being repaired, and relocated to another part of the River Thames, it was disclosed today
The Environment Agency worked closely with ecologists from a company called FiveRivers (Environmental Management & Environmental Consultant | 5R) which specialises in supporting projects to support nature and the environment.
The fish were caught using a process called ‘electro-fishing’ which is a technique which uses an electric current to attract the fish and temporarily stun them to enable them to be caught and safely moved to a another place.
An Environment Agency spokesperson explained: “Electro fishing is where a very low current around a net is used to temporarily stun the fish, to make them easier to catch and relocate.
“It doesn’t harm them, and allows the work to be carried out quickly and simply.
“These types made up the 5,000, moved a short distance away: bleak, bream, roach, perch, ruffe, flounder, brown sea trout, European eel, rudd and lamprey.”
In a statement Richmond Council gave an update on the works and stated: “As part of the dewatering activity, the EA worked with ecologists FiveRivers who carried out electro-fishing to safely remove any fish from the works area.
“They translocated an estimated 5,000 fish from the lock, across 11 fish species. To safely remove the fish, they were placed into oxygenated holding tanks and then released back in the River Thames at a suitable location.
“The project has also completed further inspections and carried out a 3D scan of the dewatered lock chamber.
“These inspections and scans indicate that the lock chamber and walls require additional strengthening to bear loads during operation.
“This additional work is essential to avoid potential structural failures and risks to public safety and will unfortunately add time to the construction programme.
“The project team are working hard to reduce this delay and are still aiming for the launch lock to be open towards the end of the boating season. Use of the Teddington Barge Lock will continue throughout construction to maintain navigation.
Further updates on the work will be available on the EA’s Thames Area Asset page.
If you have any questions about the works, please email the project team on enquiries_thm@environment-agency.gov.uk.