A PAIR of conservationists will be kayaking 35 miles down the River Aire this weekend as part of a project to make the waterway more fish friendly.

Professor Jonathan Grey and Dr Tim Jacklin, both of The Wild Trout Trust, will be paddling from Gargrave to Leeds to raise awareness of the challenges migratory fish face on their journeys to spawn.

The mission coincides with World Fish Migration Day and will highlight the Developing the Natural Aire project which will see the last four major weirs on the river made passable for fish.

Fish passes will be installed at each of the weirs (Armley Mills, Kirkstall Abbey, Newlay Bridge and Salts Mill) so that fish such as salmon and sea trout, as well as river resident species, can find their way up to the ideal gravel bed spawning grounds of the upper Aire and its tributaries.

DNAire is a £1.6m partnership project between the Environment Agency and the Aire Rivers Trust.

Professor Grey said: “The River Aire has been shackled and harnessed for industry in the past but many of the weirs associated with former mills which currently fragment the system and block fish passage are now redundant.

“The tag line of DNAire is ‘returning Salmon to Skipton’, and focuses on the upstream migration, but free movement downstream is just as important.

“We are putting ourselves in the shoes (or fins) of the young salmon as they journey to the sea and will encounter some of the obstacles they face in the river.

“It is crucial to have our rivers as unobstructed as possible to allow all fish to move freely both up and downstream to breed, feed and shelter, and hence maintain healthy, sustainable populations.”

The journey will be recorded with time-lapse photography from the prow of the boat to give as close to a fish-eye perspective as possible; as well as with drone footage if weather allows.

Keith Davie, Environment Agency DNAire Project Manager said, “It’s not widely appreciated that our rivers are in healthy condition again and can support the return of migratory fish. It’s great that Prof Grey and Dr Jacklin are doing this challenge to raise awareness of fish migration on the River Aire to coincide with World Fish Migration Day.

"We’re working with the Aire Rivers Trust and have the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund to enable the return of migratory fish to the River Aire. Salmon once again spawning in the upper Aire will be great news for people and wildlife along this great Yorkshire river.”

Records will be made of habitat quality and any detrimental issues will be noted at the same time for future funding applications for river improvement.

Angling clubs with rights between Leeds and Gargrave will be supporting the event from the banks and at strategic bridge crossings.

The DNAire project also aims to create a heritage trail along the River Aire where possible to enable people to share in the return of the iconic salmon to the watercourse.

It will also establish volunteering opportunities in river stewardship and "citizen science."

Construction of the fish passes are expected to be completed in summer 2020 and there will be activities for the public until 2022.

Simon Watts, of the Aire Rivers Trust, said: “The DNAire project is an exciting opportunity to once again see a vibrant and varied fish population in the River Aire.

"With the support of National Lottery players, funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable the Aire Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency to help the public explore the natural, built and cultural heritage of our much-loved river.”