Marking progress

• Return of Salmon to Barnsley rivers in increasing numbers
• Breeding Salmon in Barnsley
• Populations of Bullheads maintained
• Populations of Eels maintained
• Populations of Brown Trout and Grayling maintained

• Identify key river and stream sections for Bullhead populations and develop a conservation and enhancement strategy for the species in the borough.

Achievements

• Extensive works on River Dearne at Broomhill to create deeper pools, gravel bars and bank side improvements. (EA)
• Fish stocks increased periodically by Environment Agency, incl Barbel.
• Augmenting natural populations through release of elvers (young Eels)
• Fish passes: Adwick, Bolton-on-Dearne, Old Moor on Dearne. Weir removed at Darfield. DCRT
• Fish passes: Wharncliffe weir on Don and Langsett weir on Little Don. YW

Proposed actions

• Continued publicity on value of rivers with Good Ecological Status for fish species
• Analysis of fish records in rivers.
• Repeat release of elvers at Old Moor
• Identification of potential LWS sites for populations of Bullhead, Brown Trout, Eel or Salmon.
• Potential fish pass at Old Mill Lane weir
• Restoration of riparian vegetation on bare sections of river bank

Fish Local Priority Species: Key objectives

• Raise awareness of the need to maintain and extend Brown Trout, Bullhead and Eel populations and enable the return of Salmon.
• Monitor rivers for numbers and distribution of Brown Trout, Bullhead, and Eel; and record any presence of Salmon.
• Review the condition of river and stream habitats in Barnsley for fish and promote measures to improve them. (See running water section)
• Promote projects to increase the populations of priority fish species including the removal of obstructions to fish passage.
• Designate sites with significant populations of Bullhead, Brown Trout or Salmon as Local Wildlife Sites, particularly those at risk.

 Fish Species Action Plan