The Mersey is "cleaner than it ever has been" as people shared their experiences after sharks and rare fish were found in the river.
Decades after the Mersey was declared "biologically dead" from industrial and sewage pollution, the river is now teeming with life. Last year, around 37 different species of fish were caught by anglers and the river was labelled "the best environmental news story in Europe".
Mike Duddy works for the Mersey Rivers Trust, a charity that works to improve the river for both the people and the wildlife who live by it, and he said last year’s catch was nearly two and a half times the number of species found in 2002.
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Since reading the positive news, people shared their stories about fishing in the Mersey and how it has improved in recent years. Many also reported seeing "seals and porpoises" over the last few years.
Valerie Hoile said: "It’s a great to know that, as a kid when we used to get the ferry over to Wallasey it used to look filthy, greasy and horrible." Kirsten Weir added: "My dad caught a type of shark years and years ago. Was bloody massive. Wish I had a photo of him with it."
Lynn Haste wrote: "My dad has fished the Mersey all his life. Thankfully the river is cleaner than it has ever been. Lots of new fish being found."
Karen Haywood said: "My grandad worked on the docks, maybe pre 1970s and he saw many a dolphin swimming in the Mersey."
Five different types of shark have been found as well as huge eels, sea scorpions, restaurant delicacies like turbot, and the very rare smelt. Mike believes smelt may even be breeding in the estuary.
Extremely rare 'dolphins' have also previously been spotted back in 2020. Families taking a break from lockdown in Otterspool were treated to the rare sight, which experts confirmed to be harbour porpoises looking for a tasty snack.
Mike previously said even in 2002 when surveys were done before building the Mersey Gateway Bridge, no more than 15 species were found. He expects to find 50 next year in the second year of a competition to find out how many fish are in the river.
He added: "It’s the best environmental good news story in Europe without a doubt. Everywhere else nature is in decline but in the Mersey the wildlife-ometer is in the red and it’s got loads and loads to go.
“It’s full steam ahead. David Attenborough talks about an environmental crisis but the Mersey is not."
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