SOUTH Cumbria Rivers Trust is seeking funding to create a fish pass on the River Gilpin at Crosthwaite Dam, which would ease the passage for fish migrating to and from the sea.

The dam is currently a major restriction to fish migrating to and from the sea. Last year the Environment Agency carried out detailed research into the best method of alleviating the problem and invited SCRT to develop a project to eliviate the problem.

Ben Lamb, manager of SCRT said just over £6000 would be needed for the scheme - which he hopes will boost declining stocks of European eels - which are estimated to be 95% lower than they were 20 years ago.

Mr Lamb says that although a dam has existed at the site since the 17th century, the decline of a number of key species over the last 30 years means there is now a need to increase their range wherever possible.

Salmon and sea trout have been classed as National Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species, while the European eel - once caught in their hundreds of thousands - are now facing extinction.

The eel has been declared a National BAP priority species and a International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN) red list species.

Mr Lamb says the decline is due to factors such as poor water quality, pollution from agricultural run-off and loss of habitat.

“Installing a fish pass at the dam would significantly improve fish passage and make the most of over seven kilometres of fantastic habitat to migrating species,” he said. “This would provide both spawning and nursery habitat for salmonids and excellent habitat for eels to grow and reach maturity.

“Plus, an increase in fish abundance would provide an important food source for other endangered species such as otter and bittern.”

Mr Lamb believes the local community will benefit from an increase in biodiversity and thinks the scheme would draw more tourists to the area.

“Otters, leaping salmon, booming bitters and slithering eels are fascinating to watch and helping to ensure that they thrive is a great reason for people to venture outside and take an interest in what is going on in and around the waterways,” he said.