Stocking

The Eden Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency have previously carried out salmon stocking projects on several of the becks in the Eden catchment.

This involves netting adult salmon from as close to the target becks as possible (so as not to affect the genetic diversity of the species). The eggs and sperm are stripped from the adult fish which are then released. 

The eggs and sperm are mixed together and left for fertilization to take place. The eggs are placed in individual compartments in plastic boxes and are buried in the target river bed where they are left until they have hatched. The boxes are then removed for reuse.

The Trust has stocked above man made barriers where there has been no salmon spawning taking place so that once the barrier has been removed there will be fish that will return to this section of river to spawn, kick starting the population in that area. 

Before the Trust carries out any stocking, the underlying problem in that area needs to be identified and addressed with restoration work.