Ribble Valley schoolchildren replenish trout stocks in River Ribble

Around 700 finger-sized brown trout were set free into local ‘spawning’ streams across the Ribble Valley after being raised in fish tanks by East Lancashire schoolchildren.

Each year the Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust runs its ‘Trout in the Classroom’ scheme, aiming to educate primary school children about the importance of looking after their local rivers and streams.

Fish tanks containing around 100 trout eggs were installed in several schools, including Thorneyholme, at Dunsop Bridge, Longridge CE, Pendle Primary and Edisford Primary, of Clitheroe, Whalley CE, Chatburn CE, and St Wilfrid’s, Ribchester.

And between January and May the children ensured the water temperature was kept at the correct level, removed any eggs that failed to hatch to avoid pollution in the tank, and then finally fed the tiny trout.

Ribble Trust’s habitat officer Stephen Hatton said: “The survival rate increases dramatically. From 100 eggs in a stream, only two or three survive, but in a classroom the rate increases from 75 to 90per cent which is incredible.

“The water temperature is critical to survival, and once they have hatched there is also the danger of over feeding and water pollution. The youngsters observe the fish hatching out and growing until they are a suitable size to be released into the wild.

“During this period, the children will learn about the lifecycle of a trout and how essential it is for river wildlife to keep our local streams healthy for future generations.”

The levels of trout in the River Ribble are below average, and the current release of the fish will bring the population up to a sustainable level, according to the trust.

“This very hands-on approach encourages children to take a greater interest in their streams, and highlights the importance of river habitat conservation,” added Mr Hatton.

The project has been running for four years and a new batch of trout eggs will be heading to local schools in November.