Words by Abi Scaife
Considered ‘biologically dead’ just 30 years ago, the Mersey River has made an incredible comeback.
Tell me more.
Now full of nearly 40 different species of fish, the 70-mile-long river was the subject of a decades-long campaign to clean up the river.
In the 17th century, when the Industrial Revolution was in full swing, the river became a dumping ground for all kinds of pollutants and cast-offs from local factories.
After 200 years of “abuse and neglect”, a project to cleanse the river has found success - though it is far from over.
How have they cleaned up the river?
A bunch of key players have been involved in the river cleaning, including the Mersey Rivers Trust and the Mersey Basin Campaign.
These charities have been campaigning to improve waste management facilities, as well as helping to clean up streams and rivers that lead into the Mersey, and so much more.
Thanks to the efforts of these organisations, wildlife is now thriving in the river, and several species such as eels, sharks, seals and even whales have been spotted in and around the river.
From an ecological disaster to one of the UK’s best environmental success stories, the tale of the Mersey River gives hope to us all.
This article aligns with the UN SDGs Climate Action and Life Below Water.
