Midlands West Fisheries & Biodiversity report April - June 2013

Transcription

1 Midlands West Fisheries & Biodiversity report April - June 2013

2 We are the Environment Agency. We protect and improve the environment and make it a better place for people and wildlife. We operate at the place where environmental change has its greatest impact on people s lives. We reduce the risks to people and properties from flooding; make sure there is enough water for people and wildlife; protect and improve air, land and water quality and apply the environmental standards within which industry can operate. Acting to reduce climate change and helping people and wildlife adapt to its consequences are at the heart of all that we do. We cannot do this alone. We work closely with a wide range of partners including government, business, local authorities, other agencies, civil society groups and the communities we serve. Published by: Environment Agency Horizon house, Deanery Road, Bristol BS1 5AH enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk Environment Agency 2011 All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency. Further copies of this report are available from our publications catalogue: or our National Customer Contact Centre: T: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk. 2 of 29

3 Contents 1 Incidents Page 4 2 Projects Page 5 3 Managing hydropower in Midlands Page 11 4 Eel Regulations Page 13 5 Fish movement consents Page 16 6 Monitoring Page 16 7 Waterbody action plans Page 28 3 of 29

4 1. Incident response On the 18th June, the EA undertook a fish rescue of approximately 300 fish as oxygen levels plunged to just 1% due to fire water leaving the Lawrence recycling centre site in Stourport, Worcestershire. We deployed aerators and pumps to help combat low oxygen levels, manning these day and night for a week to maintain oxygen levels. But despite the best efforts of Canal and Rivers Trust (CaRT) best efforts, 4,000 fish died. We did however prevent the poor quality water reaching Stourport Basin, where many tens of thousands of fish were congregated. These fish can move between the Severn and the Canal and therefore help sustain the river stocks. 4 of 29

5 2. Projects Magnificent Severn Shropshire, Worcestershire & Gloucestershire Shropshire Magnificent Severn LIFE+ Bid The Agency submitted a 1.6 million bid to the LIFE+ Information and Communications fund. The bid is to help inform and communicate the issues associated with Diffuse Rural pollution and its implications for WFD. In addition to Agency fisheries and biodiversity expertise, senior environment and agricultural officers, expertise and commitment was gained from numerous partners. The bid was written by Mike Morris of the Severn Rivers Trust (SRT) as part of the excellent Magnificent Severn Partnership which includes SRT, the four Wildlife Trusts operating in the Severn catchment, including Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust and Natural Resources Wales. Thanks to all partners for their contributions and especially to Mike. The bid demonstrates the well developed working relationships between partners in trying to deliver catchment based environmental improvements. We will be keeping our fingers crossed over the next nine months before we know if we have been successful with the bid. Magnificent Severn: Shropshire Through our involvement with the Meres and Mosses NIA partnership and our ongoing support of Get Hooked on Fishing (GHOF) we arranged for Karl 5 of 29

6 Humphreys (GHOF) to deliver some learn to fish events in the NIA area. Some worthwhile events have already been completed where 75 children attended and further events are planned for August. Worcestershire Bully Brook Habitat Improvements On the 24th June F & B staff carried out further improvement work on the Bully Brook, at tributary of the Badsey Brook. The work involved pinning Large Woody Debris (LWD) into the channel to improve the channel for fish and invertebrates. This complements the gravel introduction and fish refuge creation work carried out earlier in the year Bully Brook before Bully Brook after LWD pinned in place Battleton Brook Habitat Improvements F & B have been working with Simon de Montfort Middle School and the local Community Support Officer in Evesham to develop a project to carry out restoration work on the Battleton Brook. The local teenagers will be creating riffles along the brook in the next few weeks to enhance the habitat for fish and invertebrates by introducing gravel and pinning woody debris in place. As well as improving the local habitat it is hoped that we will be able to raise awareness and spark an interest in nature. 6 of 29

7 Bow Brook Enhancements EA staff were out on the Bow Brook to undertake electro-fishing surveys as part of the Fisheries and Biodiversity investigation programme prior to river restoration work at several locations along the Bow Brook, including at Drakes Broughton, Peopleton, Upton Snodsbury and Walcott. We are working with landowners and the Wildlife Trust to implement habitat improvements to the brook to help address issues that affect habitat quality and wildlife. Work is due to take place throughout the Summer and will include create of fish fry refuges, introduction of gravel and large woody debris, bank reprofiling and meander restoration, as well as over-coming barriers to fish movement. EA staff Electro-fishing at Peopleton Wilden Marsh SSSI F & B have been working with other EA departments to carry out remedial work to the Wilden Marsh SSSI. The work will allow the owner of the SSSI to better manage water levels and gain access to the marsh to allow essential cattle grazing. Work is due to commence on the 22nd July and will allow the site to be managed for the rare flora that exists across the marsh. 7 of 29

8 Wilden Marsh SSSI Whittington Bridge, River Stour Fisheries & Biodiversity have been working with the local Council Highways Team to secure fish, eel and otter passage on a bridge on the River Stour near Kinver. The concrete bed of the bridge forms a weir and is a complete barrier to the movement of coarse fish, salmon, eels and otters. Through the forthcoming reconstruction of the bridge footings we have been able to secure fish and otter passes through the structure. Whittington Bridge, Kinver 8 of 29

9 Gloucestershire Horsebere Brook EA staff were out on the Horsebere Brook undertaking an electro-fishing survey as part of the Fisheries and Biodiversity investigation programme following work at Brockworth, between Mill Lane and the A46, to help address some of the issues that affect habitat quality and wildlife in the brook. The project manager, Cathy Beeching also invited members of the community and three Brook Wardens were able to attend. This waterbody is classified as poor overall for fish, under the Water Framework Directive, due to a lack of some fish species such as bullhead and brown trout. This is partly because the shape of the river, and its banks, has been changed. Channel straightening, man-made banks, tipped rubbish and rubble have all reduced space for water and wildlife. Although the Horsebere Brook is a naturally active and changing watercourse, erosion and siltation has been exacerbated by water running quickly off hard urban areas. At the three survey locations, some eels, perch and roach fry were noted. Even two brown trout were found upstream of the habitat restoration site, showing a welcome improvement in fish species. Upstream of Brockworth Brockworth Hucclecote Brown Trout Roach Perch Eels of 29

10 As part of the Environment Agency improvement works last summer we restored two cut off meanders. This lengthened the brook and created more habitat. One meander bypassed a section of concrete channel, which had scoured out a deep drop in the river bed and blocked fish movement. Restored meander The Environment Agency also worked with Severn Trent Water Ltd to replace two failed and unsightly Storm Water Outfalls. The headwalls, which form the pipe outlet, were set a little further back from the bank, and constructed with more natural materials, to help them blend into the environment and reduce the speed of water entering the brook. At the same time the opportunity was taken to scoop out the river bank to restore a natural profile and wetland edge, and improve views and access to the brook, including more space for water in high flows Failed outfall Raised bed profile and outfall replaced 10 of 29

11 These interventions complemented an ongoing programme of improvements by the local community, with the Parish Council and Severn Vale Housing and Tewkesbury Borough Council, to stop fly tipping, and enhance the brook. We hope that all the volunteers who have planted trees, picked litter, maintained paths and made brushwood bundles for the restoration works will welcome these results. 3. Managing Hydropower Development in the Midlands The Midlands Hydropower Team (MHT) has now settled into a second year and was established to deliver a consistent approach to hydropower developments. Our key aims are to ensure better regulation is part of hydropower, well designed pre applications are submitted, consistent and informed decisions are made by Midlands. Midlands Region Total Permit Applications on the Hydropower Portal East 65 Central 59 West of 29

12 Midlands Region Live Applications * Fish passes to be constructed as part of permit Fish passes already exist Eel passage only West Central 4 2 2** East 6 0 3(1**) * either have been determined and in construction due for commission or awaiting construction ** flows have been reserved for future fish passage if required The tables illustrate that hydropower is still a busy component of permitting in the Midlands region and again justifies the position of the Midlands Hydropower Team. These live applications are at some point in their existence being dealt with by MHT. It is further testament to this success the number of fish passes which have been included in schemes and how few have not been required to include general fish passes as mitigation, apart from eel passage cover under the 2009 Eel Regulations. The photograph is a recent example of improved fish passage as part of a permitted HEP scheme on the River Teme. Prior to development at this site the weir had an Alaskan baffle type pass which was only passable for salmon and large trout. Subsequently the negotiations with the developers have resulted in an all species Larinier pass. 12 of 29

13 HEP still remains a very challenging area of development with our decisions being questioned and challenged continually from external bodies such as the Angling Trust and the British Hydropower Association. That said; considering we are in a region with fair proportion of the current licences those challenges seem proportionally less than elsewhere in England. It is expected that hydropower applications will increase over the coming months as the government has confirmed the Feed in Tariff which will be paid for hydropower, larger schemes will be made more attractive through the Tariffs therefore these large schemes may become more sought after. As MHT is not financed beyond March 2014, the emphasis over the remainder of this year will be to deliver robust training and guidance to all areas in order to build resilience around hydropower permitting and compliance. 4. Eel Regulations The Eel Regulations became law in 2010 and the Environment Agency is the body responsible for implementing them. Among other things, they require owners of licenced water abstraction points and river obstructions (such as weirs and sluices) to provide protective screens and fish passage at their structures. In our last report, we highlighted the work we have been doing to encourage owners of weirs and pumping stations to become compliant with the regulations. Of course the Environment Agency owns a large number of river structures and so we are putting a great deal of effort towards getting our own house in order. We are in the process of improving passage for fish and eels at eleven of our most important tidal outfall structures in the Severn Estuary. These are usually flap-gates which close as the tide rises, restricting the movement of water (and fish!) from the estuary into the river. We will be making sure that 13 of 29

14 these gates can stay open long enough to allow better fish migration but offer the right standard of flood protection to local communities. Elsewhere we own flow-gauging weirs such as Rodington on the River Roden in Shropshire (below). We are carrying out a programme of upgrades to provide fish and eel passage which helps achieve targets under the Water Framework Directive and Eel Regulations, as well as supporting a much healthier and more resilient fishery. Installation of an all-species fish pass at Rodington Gauging Weir, Shropshire 14 of 29

15 We have also made improvements to a gauging weir for eel passage on the River Lyd, Gloucestershire. We have installed the EA-designed eel tiles onto the structure in two different configurations. Using eels which were caught and released downstream of the weir, we are monitoring their movements up through the tiles to make sure we use the best design possible elsewhere. Installation of recessed and raised eel tiles monitored by cameras and sensors at Lydney Gauging Station 15 of 29

16 5. Fish Movement Consents Midlands (West) from 7/1/13 to 30/6/13. Section 30 (Fish Stocking) Section 28 (Fish Removals) Consented (0 Crayfish) Refused 2 4 (3 Crayfish) Withdrawn 0 2 (2 Crayfish) Made Void Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Our 2013 core fish monitoring programme contains 90 sites. The programme is a mix of temporal and spatial core fisheries, and Water Framework Directive (WFD) classification drivers. Alongside this there is a programme of investigational work for WFD and local fisheries projects. Our key priorities this year are completing our first cycle WFD classification sites. The first quarter began with Part one training for new starters in Sample and Collection and Analysis and Reporting and familiarisation with electric fishing. The season started in April and began on the River Isbourne. Water temperatures were unseasonably low throughout the first quarter, which meant a lot of our coarse fish species were spawning later than normal. 16 of 29

17 Boom boat electric fishing on River Severn at Shrewsbury in May 2013 Investigational work included boom boat assessment of the River Severn in Shrewsbury, a catchment survey of the River Worfe for the Severn Rivers Trust and an Upper Teme investigation for local angling club. In total 30 investigational electric fishing surveys have been undertaken in the first quarter of Data management and reporting resilience is been targeted this year with extra training for field staff on data collection and a regional reporting workshop set up by the regional fish monitoring group. 17 of 29

18 Distribution of 2013 Routine Fish Monitoring Surveys Completed by 30/6/2013 Fish Monitoring Programme Midlands West fish monitoring programme has a multi-method approach including electric fishing, fry seine netting and hydroacoustics. This approach provides us with the best possible evidence to comment on our fish populations. 18 of 29

19 RIVER NFPD Site ID SITE NAME NGR Sample type Methodology Survey reason Isbourne 5655 Greet SP Wade SQ WFD Isbourne Wormington SP Wade SQ WFD Isbourne 5659 Hinton-on-the- Green SP Wade SQ WFD Perry 1157 D/S Rednal SJ Wade SQ WFD Perry COED Y TYE SJ Wade SQ WFD Burlington bk 8276 HATTON HILL FARM SJ Wade SQ WFD PERRY FRANKBOOK(new) SJ Wade SQ WFD PERRY 1159 MILFORD SJ Wade SQ WFD WEIR BROOK KYNNERLEY SJ Wade SQ WFD PERRY FITZ SJ Wade SQ WFD Worfe 1236 Worfield SO Wade SQ WFD Worfe Cosford SJ Wade SQ WFD Minsterley Brook 1163 Plox Green SJ Wade SQ WFD Minsterley Brook 9563 Bank Farm SJ Wade SQ WFD REA BROOK 1165 HINTON SJ Wade Q WFD, PCF Pontesford Brook Pontesford SJ Wade SQ WFD Yockleton Brook 1185 Nox SJ Wade SQ WFD REA 1167 CRUCKMEOLE SJ Wade Q WFD, 19 of 29

20 BROOK REA BROOK 1164 MALEHURST SJ Wade Q REA BROOK 1168 HOOK-A-GATE SJ Wade Q PCF WFD, PCF WFD, PCF REA BROOK 1169 MEOLE BRACE SJ Wade Q PCF Badsey Brook 8316 Wickhamford SP Wade SQ WFD Stoulton Bk Deerfold Wood SO Wade BACKPACK SQ WFD Badsey Brook 8318 Offenham, Gauging station SP Wade SQ WFD Piddle Brook U/S Libbery SO Wade SQ WFD Quinney Bk 1351 Strefford SO Wade SQ WFD ONNY 1352 PARK FARM SO Wade SQ CLUN 1326 CLUNBURY SO Wade SQ WFD, PBT WFD, PBT CORVE 1363 CORFHAM CASTLE SO Wade SQ WFD CORVE 1368 LUDLOW SO Wade SQ WFD CORVE 1366 STANTON LACEY SO Wade SQ WFD Grimley Brook 1263 Grimley SO Wade SQ WFD Table Routine fish monitoring surveys completed up to 30/06/2013 SQ=Semi Quantitative (single run), Q=Quantitative (multiple runs) 20 of 29

21 Fish Monitoring Techniques Electric Fishing Electric fishing is our main tool for assessing fish populations. The process is used on most running waters, canals and can also be used in still waters. A standardised methodology is used to allow consistent data collection. We have data on our fish database since the early nineties. The difficulties of electric fishing large rivers are well documented, especially for collecting quantitative data. Midlands West has some sections of river that are not suitable for electric fishing. Therefore a weight of evidence approach is used to assess fish populations which can include seine netting, hydroacoustics, fyke netting, fixed counters/traps, angler data and habitat assessments. Fry Seine Netting Fry surveys are to be completed along the River Severn from Shrewsbury in the North down to Haw Bridge in the South, and also on parts of the Rivers Wye and Teme. The surveys are single haul seine nets using a fry micro mesh net of 3 x 25 metre in size. The nets are deployed and drawn in manually using a team of four to five people. The surveys are usually undertaken in September to allow fry identification in the field. This data is used to supply species composition and recruitment information. Hydroacoustic surveying Hydroacoustic surveying is used on the main River Severn because: There is a lack of quantitative data on our large rivers Conventional survey methods such as netting and electric fishing are unable to provide large scale quantitative assessments of large rivers. Hydroacoustics use pulses of sound and their echoes to obtain information on the number, location and size of individual fish in the surveyed stretch of water. The most accurate estimates of fish abundance are obtained if surveys are conducted during the hours of darkness. This is because fish move at night from areas of cover near to the riverbed into more open parts of the water column where they are more easily counted. Therefore the survey was carried out after sunset during calm conditions. 21 of 29

22 The surveys have been completed since the early nineties. Our surveys are completed during early July. We have used the hydroacoustic boat and skipper from the Welsh fisheries technical team along with area monitoring staff in the past, but this year using a boat from North West. The data are processed and used to map fish densities along the River Severn and lower River Avon using GIS software. Fish Counters West Area is at present running three fish counters at: River Severn, Shrewsbury Weir (SJ ) River Teme, Ashford (SO ) Afon Tanat, Carreghofa (SJ ) Both Shrewsbury and Ashford are Vaki counters that produce silhouettes of fish as they pass through the counter using infra red beams. Vaki image of salmon passing through Shrewsbury fish pass April of 29

23 The counter at Carreghofa is a resistivity counter and measures the changes in conductivity caused by an object passing through the counter. This can be calibrated to recognise salmon passing through. Survey Highlights River Isbourne The River Isbourne was the first river to be surveyed in 2013 and in the lower sections fished very well (19 brown trout and 35 dace from Hinton on the Green). Further up the catchment a lot poorer return with brown trout struggling to get into double figures River Isbourne at Greet River Isbourne at Wormington River Isbourne at Hinton on The Green Electric fishing at Hinton on Green 23 of 29

24 River Perry The River Perry had a total of 5 surveys undertaken in Results at most sites were generally poorer than previous surveys with the exception of the top most site at Coed y Tye where numbers of brown trout were similar to previous surveys. Poaching is a real issue at Coed y Tye with cattle allowed to enter the stream. Water temperature and prolonged high flows in and early 2013 are thought to have impacted catches lower down in the Perry. Cattle entering River Perry at Coed y Tye River Perry at Downstream Rednall 24 of 29

25 Rea Brook and Tributaries Nine surveys were completed within the Rea Brook catchment, while one site at Worthen had to be red carded due to recent dredging making entering the channel dangerous. The tributaries generally had good catches dominated by brown trout. The main Rea Brook is a Principal Coarse Fishery and so is fished catch depletion. Brown trout and grayling were found in reasonable numbers, but coarse fish numbers were very low. This could have been due to the lower water temperatures experienced and the fact that certain sections of the brook are too deep to electric fish and this could be where the majority of the coarse fish would be. Electric fishing on Rea Brook at Hook a Gate 25 of 29

26 Grayling Rea Brook at Hook a Gate Tributaries River Teme Surveys have been completed on the Rivers Onny, Corve and Clun. The River Onny at Park Farm and the River Clun at Clunbury had large numbers of Atlantic salmon fry with low numbers of brown trout. Atlantic salmon also dominated the survey on the River Corve at Ludlow, but Corfham Castle had large numbers of brown trout. Stanton Lacey was much poorer with only two brown trout and minor species caught. River Clun at Clunbury River Onny at Park Farm Fisheries Investigations Throughout the first quarter Analysis and Reporting have been working closely with Fisheries and Biodiversity to complete a wide range of investigations from the main River Severn in Shrewsbury to the Hoo Brook in Kidderminster. 26 of 29

27 Perch River Severn at Shrewsbury Pike River Severn at Shrewsbury Hoo Brook, Spennels Nature Reserve Atlantic salmon River Worfe 27 of 29

28 7. Waterbody Action Plans (WAP s) The latest stage of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), has involved the Environment Agency detailing the activities that are affecting the WFD compliance of our rivers. Since April we have been drawing up action plans of activities that need to be undertaken to improve compliance e.g. barrier removal, fish passes on barriers, river restoration work and addressing diffuse pollution issues from land. We will be contacting our partners; including angling organisations through the summer to ensure we have included all of the important issues and activities. These plans will set out the work taking place to improve your local rivers over the next decade or more and so we strongly encourage and welcome your input. 28 of 29

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