A NEW fish pass has been completed on the River Neb which will allow salmon and sea trout improved access to the spawning beds in the upper reaches of the river.

In September the Department of Infrastructure started the task of reinforcing sections of the old weir at Ballaleece Bridge which had been damaged by years of winter floods.

Like the old weir the new structure has a fish pass included in the design to allow fish free access to their spawning areas further upstream.

The pass is also essential in maintaining the ecology of the river downstream.

Due to the valuable fish stocks in the river care was taken to ensure there was no risk of pollution to the river as the weir was constructed using large quantities of concrete and cement.

At one point during the works heavy rain encouraged a run of sea trout up the river to the area of Ballaleece.

Fisheries officers from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture transferred them upstream to prevent them becoming trapped below the weir while the fish pass was out of action.

The new weir is now fully operational and there have been numerous reports of salmon and sea trout ascending upstream over the new structure safely on their way to their spawning areas.

Juan Turner MLC, Member for Fisheries commented: "The repair and improvements to the weir at Ballaleece have been designed to take in to account our commitment to protect and preserve the natural environment.

"The collaborative approach between DEFA, The Water & Sewerage Authority and the Department of Infrastructure has been instrumental in this project.

"Each agency has different legal obligations and by working together it has ensured that all of our individual obligations have been met satisfactorily."

The River Neb is one of the best rivers for salmon and sea trout in the Isle of Man.