South West Water installs screens to protect River Exe eels

European eels are a critically endangered species

South West Water has installed screens to help protect eels in the River Exe.

The project costs £1m and aims to ensure European eels, an endangered species, are protected when the company takes water from the river to treat it.

The screens, made of mesh, prevent the eels from getting trapped or injured in the water abstraction equipment.

Bosses said the screens also protect other species such as Atlantic salmon and brown trout.

'Drastically declined'

Phil Turnbull, fisheries and biodiversity advisor at South West Water, said: "European eels have been living in our rivers for thousands of years and form an important part of the local ecology and natural heritage.

"Unfortunately, eel populations have drastically declined in our waters, as a result of habitat loss, blocked migration and overexploitation.

"They are now critically endangered and South West Water is contributing to collective efforts to reverse the decline in populations."

The company said it planned to put in similar screens and measures at other sites across the south-west of England to help protect eels.