Thousands of fish were released into the River Trent in Stone on Wednesday after stocks were all but destroyed by a leak of cyanide and raw sewage in Stoke-on-Trent last year.
Around 9,000 roach, barbel and dace were released in Stone, with a similar amount released into the Trent in Rugeley.
In October 2009, thousands of fish died in a 30-mile stretch of water between Stoke-on-Trent and Yoxall following the pollution. An Environment Agency study found no evidence of fish in the River Trent in Stone after the incident. The area of the river in Stone is heavily weeded, meaning the pollution had the greatest impact.
The Environment Agency (EA) said more fish re-stocking would take place next year. All of the new fish were about 18 months’ old and came from the Environment Agency’s fish farm in Calverton, Nottingham. EA officers said the fish would not suffer any shock by being placed in the cold waters, although the temperature in the river was only just above 4C (39F). The fish will start spawning in 12 months’ time.
Cyanide entered the Strongford Sewage Treatment Works in Stoke-on-Trent in October 2009 and an investigation has been launched into the cause of the pollution incident. The EA said it would still be seeking prosecutions and the investigation was continuing.
Red Industries Ltd, a waste company based in Burslem was banned from discharging industrial effluent into sewers immediately after the leak. The firm said at the time that it voluntarily stopped before the suspension notice was served.
