The Grayling Society backs Nationally Important Legal Case for UK rivers with £10,000 donation

The Grayling Society has given its support to a legal challenge that affects rivers across the UK. At its AGM, Society President and prominent river campaigner Feargal Sharkey announced that the Society would be making a £10,000 donation to Fish Legal’s #Every River Counts appeal, one of the largest made in the Society’s 47-year history.

Last year, Fish Legal and the Pickering Fishery Association successfully took the Government to court, arguing that their River Basin Management Plans for a small Yorkshire river were defective and that more action was needed to meet legally binding targets by 2027.

What began as a local fight to bring fish back to the polluted waters of the Costa Beck has now become a national test case to ensure no river is left behind.

Given the widespread implications of the High Court ruling, the previous Government lodged an appeal that is due to be heard in the Court of Appeal on 14 and 15th January 2025. Underlining just how significant the case is, the Office for Environmental Protection has joined in the proceedings.

Fish Legal launched it #EveryRiverCounts campaign to help cover the legal costs required to fight the new Government and the Environment Agency in court.

Penny Gane said: “We are delighted that a prestigious and conservation-minded organisation such as The Grayling Society has donated so generously to our appeal. Grayling are an iconic and revered fish species in many rivers across the UK. The battle to bring back grayling to the Costa Beck case has significance for rivers everywhere.”

She added: “We are very disappointed that the new Government has decided to continue to fight us over this case. Their failure to accept the original ruling and just get on with resolving the glaring issues affecting the country’s rivers is why we have had to set up this fundraising appeal. I very much hope other people and organisations will help support it too.”

Ron Taylor, The Grayling Society Conservation Officer  said: “The Grayling Society wanted to support Fish Legal’s appeal because our members recognise the importance of the Costa Beck case, not just for that river but for populations of grayling and other fish across the country.”

Feargal Sharkey added: “We are in the midst of a river crisis and it is time for everyone to stand up and take action. I would urge anyone else with an interest in the health of rivers to help Fish Legal and support the “Every River Counts” appeal too.”