FISH barriers have been removed from a Dorset river to help species thrive. 

As part of World Rivers Day this Sunday, several organisations including the Environment Agency have removed several weirs along the River Tarrant in north Dorset.

The fish in the river can now move more freely to go home to spawn or reach vital habitats, the Environment Agency said. 

A spokesman said: “The cost of removing these legacy structures when demands on rivers were different are prohibitive.  

“But thanks to partnership help from bodies like Westcountry Rivers Trust and Wessex Rivers Trust, we are overcoming these obstacles.    

“There are many pressures on fish including the iconic salmon which is seeing a global decline in numbers. 

“Removing historic obstacles is one way to improve their future and enhance the environment that they live in.”   

Alongside removing obstacles in the river, initiatives like reducing the canopy of forested areas to let more light into habitats and slowing the flow of water with leaky dams have improved the environment for the wildlife dependent on both rivers.   

Laurence Couldrick, chief executive for Westcountry Rivers Trust, added: “As well as removing barriers to fish passage this also provides numerous ecological benefits such as restoring natural flow regimes, improving sediment transport, improved water quality, enhanced biodiversity and improving climate resilience.”