The Environment Agency has restocked several fisheries in Somerset, the Claverton fishery near Bath, and the River Boyd, near Bristol.
Every year, the Environment Agency's Calverton Fish Farm near Nottingham breeds coarse fish for release into rivers and still waters across England to help boost fish populations.
Fisheries Officers have stocked over 6,000 fish, including 1,500 fish into the River Sheppey near Godney, and 1,100 into Blakespool, a coarse fishery used by Blakespool Angling Club in Bridgwater.
Other sites to receive a festive boost in the run up to Christmas include:
The rivers and stillwaters have been stocked with various species including:
The River Sheppey lost a large number of fish following a pollution incident in 2018, and all other fisheries were stocked to enhance angling.
Environment Agency Fisheries Officer, Liam Timothy, said: "The restocking is part of an annual programme funded by income from rod licence sales. Restocking occurs in winter because water temperatures are low and this minimises any stress on the fish, giving them the best possible survival rates".
Restocking is done where numbers are low, have been depleted following a pollution incident, or to create new fisheries and opportunities to anglers.
Christmas is a good time to introduce the fish into rivers as it allows them to acclimatise to their new surroundings, ahead of their spawning season in the spring. Fish play a critical role in sustaining a river's finely-balanced eco-system, so the wider natural environment will also get a festive boost!
