New fish pass built under A31 to help sea trout and eels migrate

The Environment Agency has constructed the pass where the stream flows under the A31 through a culvert onto a weir.

Before the works, migration was more challenging for the fish

This previously made migration more challenging for fish.

The new structure creates more favourable conditions for fish to migrate upstream over a wider range of water levels and flows.

The fish can now access over 2km of habitat under a greater range of flows.

The multi-species fish pass has been constructed with natural materials to help it blend in with its woodland surroundings.

The Environment Agency said the barrage structures have been designed to help both sea trout and eels move upstream over a wider flow range, helping to increase successful migration upstream.

The barrage structures have been designed to help both sea trout and eels (Image: supplied)

Vicky Gravestock, fisheries officer, said: "We hope we have played our small part in the lifecycle of these fish by making more habitat available to continue their journey upstream.

"We had to meet strict standards to deliver these works in the New Forest because it is a protected site.

"During construction, we used natural materials, which were in keeping with and sympathetic to their surroundings.

"We were able to use the in-house skills of our wood workshop in Rye and then apply the skills of our field team to tailor and fit the structures onsite."

The success of the project will continue to be assessed as part of the area's fish monitoring programme in Hampshire next summer.

The new structure creates more favourable conditions for fish to migrate upstreamAt the end of this year, the sea trout nests will also be counted.

Sea trout enter the river system from the Solent in late spring, making the journey upstream to spawn in December.

Some of them migrate out to sea as young fish, live their adult lives at sea, and then return to freshwater to spawn again.

Eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea in the north-west Atlantic Ocean.

From there, they journey 4,000 miles over two years to Europe.

Once they reach freshwater estuaries, they turn into young eels, up to 12cm long, and swim up into rivers.

Here, they can live for up to 20 years before returning to the Sargasso Sea as mature adults to spawn.