Are Hydropower Mills Hurting The Fishing Industry?
The Angling Trust will become Britains largest fishing organization when it is initiated on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. This organization is being created from six angling and conservation groups to try to gain more influence in matters of importance. The CEO of the Angling Trust, Mark Lloyd, believes that the concerns of local anglers are being overlooked by the Environment Agency. Hydroelectric power facilities were devised to help reduce carbon emissions. Many of the facilities have integrated their needs into old water mills. Approximately 500 such power plants have already been planned around the country. Fishermen are concerned that these hydroelectric facilities will block the movement of fish, notwithstanding the advent of fish passes, and that fish stocks will be depleted and biodiversity will be in jeopardy on the waterways. Fish passes, which were designed to allow fish to move in safety past the rejuvenated old mill areas, are controversial as anglers believe their benefit
