River Foam Mystery: 3,000 Fish to Restock Thetford

The River Thet is set to receive a significant boost as 3,000 fish are reintroduced to combat the effects of a severe pollution incident. In October, an extensive section of the river in Thetford, Norfolk, was covered in a thick layer of foam, tragically resulting in the discovery of dead fish.

The Environment Agency is spearheading the restoration, planning to release a mix of native species, including roach, dace, and chub, into the water on Monday. This initiative is a critical step in helping the river, a rare chalk stream, regain its full ecological vitality. Specialist teams are continuing their investigation into the pollutant's source and conducting extensive water-quality tests.

This event follows a similar incident in December 2024, according to the local preservation group, Thetford River Group. The River Thet's status as a globally rare chalk stream, with nearly a third located in the East of England, underscores the importance of these recovery efforts. Continuous monitoring will assess fish survival rates and the river's overall recovery over the coming months.