Much as I would love to see a concerted stocking programme for the Eden (as it has been pointed out, we have tried all else), it is not going to happen through EA assistance.
I have had some recent correspondence with the Senior EA fisheries scientist who wrote to all known Eden rods in June this year. It is not right to copy the thoughts of "GS" here, but it is safe for me to say that he is still claiming that the resurgence of the Tyne is down to the EA's cleansing of the estuary (as opposed to work of the Keilder hatchery). At least he replied to my concerns….. something of a first, going by my previous experiences of customer involvement!
The Eden Rivers Trust has performed a considerable amount of praiseworthy environmental work throughout the catchment area, with little or no discernible benefit in terms of numbers of returning migratory fish being apparent, as yet. I used to be firmly against hatcheries on wild fisheries… but now I think otherwise, and should the historically productive privately owned Eden beats wish to try all options, stocking has to be worth a go. But it would need to be privately funded.