Aquatic Animals

Rewilding Rivers for Fish Welfare

River restoration through removing barriers, improving water quality, and restoring habitat benefits fish welfare alongside biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Key Facts

The UK has over 30,000 barriers to fish passage in its rivers
Removing weirs and improving connectivity allows migratory fish to reach spawning grounds
River restoration also improves water quality and oxygen levels for resident fish
Chalk streams are globally rare habitats critical for many fish species
The Wild Fish Trust and other organisations monitor river restoration effectiveness

Welfare Considerations

Fish in degraded rivers experience chronic stress from poor water quality, temperature extremes, and barriers that prevent natural migratory behaviour. River restoration addresses root causes of poor fish welfare at landscape scale. Individual fish welfare benefits from restored rivers include access to appropriate spawning habitat, thermal refugia, and reduced crowding at migration barriers.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration charity projects in your area
Advocate for dam and weir removal programmes
Reduce garden pesticide use near waterways
Participate in river monitoring volunteer schemes
Support policies requiring adequate environmental flows in rivers