Letter: What’s killing the River Severn?
Tuesday 9th November 2010, 6:00AM GMT.
Letter: Quite recently there have been reports of cormorants, goosanders, otters etc. depleting the fish stocks in the River Severn.
In my opinion this is utter nonsense: The river should be capable of supporting all wildlife.
I have fished and studied the river for almost 50 years and noticed changes 30-35 years ago. I used to take my children to Sydney Avenue in Shrewsbury and in minutes their buckets would be full of different types of small fish, crayfish and small fry.
At about the time they were getting rid of ditches and turning small fields into bigger ones, I noticed each time the river rose after rain great clumps of foam formed below the crest of the weir.
After that the small fry and delicate amphibians gradually started to disappear and the number of mayflies hatching fell fast.
About 10 years later we searched in vain at the shingle beach below the weir: No stone loach, crayfish etc.
The foam is still there though. When the authorities take samples and say the water is clean, do they check it when the water is crystal clear or when it’s muddy and full of whatever may be contaminating it.
Where there is no intensive farming in third world countries the rivers seem to support man and all wildlife.
Brian Travis
Shrewsbury
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
- The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff doesn't raise a smile
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
But let’s blame the Otters, eh?
You are right, Brian.
Report abuse