A PROJECT is being carried out on a river that runs through the Cartmel Valley to discover why there has been a dramatic decline in fish numbers.

A survey conducted by the Environment Agency in 1994 revealed that fish populations in the River Eea were in good health – but that has changed over the past 15 years as numbers of salmon, trout, sea trout, eels and minnows have all decreased.

Now South Cumbria Rivers Trust (SCRT), in partnership with Cumbria Biodiversity Action Plan partnership, is aiming to rehabilitate the river and its environment.

The trust is nearing completion of the first step in a three-phase project which will cost around £300,000.

Grants from the Environ-ment Agency and DEFRA have so far secured £19,000.

Ben Lamb, SCRT manager, said: “We have carried out walkover surveys, electro-fishing and invertebrate monitoring to assess the health of the river system.

“There are juvenile salmon and trout similar to that of 1994 but they don’t seem to be surviving to adult size.

“We have not found a problem with water quality. It’s a puzzle but it seems to be a loss of habitat more than anything.”

Mr Lamb said theories included changes in land use, a decrease in vegetation cover and an increase in silt covering spawning gravel.

The next stage will be to analyse the data to determine what work needs to be carried out.

“We’re aiming to try to create a richer habitat along the river by working with all the pressures surrounding it,” said Mr Lamb.

“Once funding is in place we would like to see the work finished within three years but the total recovery is going to take years.”

The final phase will involve re-surveying the river system in order to see whether the work was successful.

SCRT is appealing for photographs, memories and stories about the River Eea to try to build a picture of how the river once was.

An open evening was due to be held last night at Cartmel Village Hall to discuss the river. If you wish to get involved call 01539 816311.