After a lengthy investigation, the Angling Trust has uncovered evidence of the destruction of habitat for fish and other wildlife by Environment Agency contractors carrying out flood defence works on rivers in six English counties, in what has become an issue of national concern.
The problems have arisen from over-zealous contractors, funded by the Environment Agency, causing widespread damage to bankside trees and removing in-river debris. This work has left affected stretches devoid of riparian cover and consequently fish populations are now at significantly greater risk of predation by otters, cormorants and goosanders, and will have less food from invertebrates that rely on vegetation and woody debris.
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