In order for the Agency to fulfil obligations under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Eel Regulations, fish access facilities are being installed in tidal flaps at many sites in the lower reaches of rivers to allow the migration of elver, eel and other species between the main river or estuary and incoming tributaries and drains.

The BBC reports:

Salmon, sea trout and eels are now able to swim through a new fish pass on the River Derwent in Northumberland for the first time in over 300 years.

Natural Environment Minister Richard Benyon opened the new pass at Swalwell, Gateshead.

Until now, salmon and sea trout were unable to travel very far up-river to spawn because of the restrictive weir.

Passing fish will be closely monitored by underwater cameras at the pass.

Richard Benyon MP Natural Environment Minister: "This fish pass will create exciting new opportunities for fishing in the area.” 

They are as fragile as their name suggests, yet glass eels survive being hurled about by terrifying storms as they evade sharp-toothed predators on a 4,000-mile, three-year odyssey from the North Atlantic. Then they arrive in Britain only to find that the barricades are up.

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