Anglian Fisheries Surveys and Project Update- February 2014

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1 Anglian Fisheries Surveys and Project Update- February Angling interests have requested an update on our rod licence funded programmes. A summary of the surveys completed and planned is provided. Details of fisheries improvements projects and associated work are also listed. Anglian Fisheries Surveys Eastern Area- Kelvedon team covering Essex and S. Suffolk We surveyed 49 main river sites on the following rivers:- R Gipping, Mardyke, R Ter, Sandon Brook, Ramsey River, Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation/Canal, R Stour, R Chelmer, R Can and R Wid. We surveyed 12 headwater sites Elver monitoring The following sites are scheduled: R Stour catchment eel monitoring 10 sites including main R Stour, R Brett, R Box, Belchamp Brook and Chad Brook. R Colne 16 sites R Stour (annual fish surveys) 10 sites R Pant 6 sites R Blackwater 14 sites Holland Brook (carried over from ) 2 sites R Wid (carried over from ) 1 site 4 headwater sites Eastern Area- Norwich team covering Norfolk and N. Suffolk Elver Monitoring (C&B Navigation Essex & R Stour) - 2 national sites We surveyed 48 main river sites including R Tas, R Bure and R Wensum. 15 headwater sites (2-3 people, 2-3 sites per day) 6 hydroacoustic validation surveys (4 people, 1 per day) Elver monitoring at 3 sites The following sites are scheduled: River Glaven 7 sites R Tas 2 sites R Stiffkey 6 sites R Bure 2 sites R Waveney 8 sites R Tud 2 sites R Wensum 8 sites 3 other sites 14 headwater sites (2-3 people, 2-3 sites per day) Elver monitoring at 3 sites

2 Eastern Area Hydroacoustic surveys The survey programme is currently on hold due to health and safety/welfare concerns with the boat. However, the aim is to be continuing with the work this autumn with a different boat. The existing programme (up to 2012) was as follows:- R Bure, R Waveney and R Yare surveyed annually. R Ant & R Thurne surveyed 3 yearly in 2011, etc This programme is subject to National and Local review/agreement and is likely to change. Area- Brampton Team Nar 2 Sites Rhee - 4 Sites Granta - 6 sites Guilden Brook / Shep / Mel - 3 sites Upper Cam - 5 Sites Lower Cam 5 Sites Elstow Brook - 1 Site St Ives Chub - 1 Site Swavesey drain - 1 Site Kym - 3 Sites Ouzel - 7 Sites Ivel - 5 Sites Bourn Brook - 2 Sites River Oughton -1 Site Gt. Ouse Brackley to Newport Pagnell - 10 Sites Gt. Ouse Brampton to Earith 5 Sites Lower Ouse eel sites - 5 Sites Elver site monitoring Silver eel migration monitoring Ely Ouse Hydroacoustic survey Investigative surveys on the river: Nar -3 Sites Heacham -2 Sites Hopton Brook- 1 site Granta - 1 site Soham Lode - 1 site Hiz 1 site Nar - 2 sites Ely Ouse 3 sites Cut Off Channel 5 Sites Relief Channel - 3 sites Gt. Ouse Newport Pagnell to Bedford 8 Sites Old West 5 Sites River Snail 2 Sites Soham Lode 2 Sites Wicken/Reach/Burwell Lode 6 Sites Counter Drain 5 Sites River Delph 5 Sites N.Norfolk eels sites 5 sites. Elver site monitoring Silver eel migration monitoring Hydroacoustic surveys on Ely Ouse and Relief Channel Investigative surveys planned. Likely to increase. Nar -2 sites Heacham -3 sites Ingol 3 sites Gaywood 1 site Post habitat improvement surveys Ouse Nar Barbel studies Ivel Upper Ouse- 8

3 Northern Area- Kettering Team covering Northamptonshire 48 sites on Gwash, Eyebrook, Nene, Welland, Ise, Mortons Leam plus 23 sites for WFD / local needs 5 yellow eel monitoring sites on the Nene 55 sites on Welland, Eyebrook, Stonton Brook, Langton Brook, Chater, Gwash. Additional WFD and local investigations to be added Eel rack monitoring on the Nene Northern Area- Manby Team covering Lincolnshire 37 sites on Witham, Bain, West Fen Drain, Waith Beck, Hobhole, Slea, plus 40 sites for WFD / local needs 71 sites on Witham, Slea, Billinghay Skerth, Till, Bain, Fossdyke Canal, additional WFD and local investigations to be added One hydroacoustic survey on the Witham All future programmes are subject to change depending on the available finances, resources and any reprioritisation decisions. Fisheries Improvement Projects Eastern Area A number of eel passes have been planned or completed in /14- Horstead Sluice (Bure), Costessey Mill Weir (Wensum), East Mills (Colne), Judas Gap (Stour), Flatford Mill (Stour) 3x Minsmere Sluices, Dunwich River Tidal Flap, Ellingham Sluice (Waveney) Hickling Staithe access improvements, includes a 10 year management agreement to maintain boat angling access at a strategically critical Upper Thurne slipway. 2.5k rod licence contribution + funds/in kind from other partners Horsey Mere viewpoint improvements: angling facilities, access, erosion protection, 10 year management agreement. 2.5k rod licence contribution + funds/in kind from other partners Rockland to Langley Flood Defence Works incorporated angling access improvements along 3km of tidal River Yare. FCRM funded Install 3 disabled accessible swims and improved bank access at Buckenham, ongoing construction. 18.3k rod licence funding in collaboration with RSPB and BASG Continuation of the Broadland Salinity Project: volunteer monitoring was particularly important during winter storm surges. Broadland Pike Tagging project, published a recent project update to update anglers, Phase 2 planned for. Partnership with the John Innes Centre to support a phd studentship researching biochemistry and toxins of Prymnesium parvum. Continue to support international partnership to study the ecology and management of Prymnesium in the Upper Thurne

4 Barbel stocking and monitoring- 5 th year of stocking tagged fish in the River Wensum, combined with surveys at noted spawning and juvenile habitat areas. 2 major River Wensum restoration schemes completed at Sculthorpe Moor and on River Tat tributary. Variety of measures to improve habitat quality included channel narrowing, insertion of woody debris, and redistribution of the gravel bed to create glides and pools. 4km of river enhanced, WFD and SAC/SSSI status improved. FCRM Funded Supported installation of otter fencing at Alderson Lakes (Gipping Angling Preservation Society), Blaxhall Pit (Woodbridge AC) and Woodrising Fishery. Design and publication of Angle on the Broads including a free Broadland Pike Catching & Conservation DVD. Distributed 10,000 copies. 13,120 rod licence contribution in partnership with BASG. BASG website development. Our small rod licence contribution ( 1,880) secured 10,000 grant from Broads Sustainable Development Fund and significant volunteer time from BASG/AT Area Improvements to the River Lark d/s Cavenham Stream, worked closely with the Lark Angling Preservation Society Total cost around 8k (rod licence funds) Woody debris installation work in the Upper Ouse, several sites including Sherrington, Water Stratford. Working with partner organisations and training our in-house Operations Delivery staff Small FCRM/Fisheries cost etc Gravel jetting and gravel redressing at sites on Ivel, Bedford Ouse and Upper Ouse- Small fisheries cost 1km river restoration on the Little Ouse at Blo Norton Biodiversity/Operations Delivery funded 1.5km River and Floodplain restoration at BTO reserve, Thetford- Biodiversity/Operations Delivery funded Proposed 1km river restoration on Little Ouse at Rushford c 15k Forestry commission funded

5 1.6km River Lark restoration at West Stow Country Park - 15k Defra WFD GiA Continued funding of barbel research, involves Bournemouth University Post-doctoral student- Total cost around 8k (50% rod licence funds) Eel pass at Abbey Heath on the Little Ouse FCRM funded 20k cost Eel pass at St Ives Staunch on the Great Ouse, installation weather dependant! FCRM funded 50k cost Ely Ouse bank and swim preparations for the AT Div 2 champs- Cost covered by FCRM and rod licence funds Further monitoring on the River Wissey fish pass Rod licence funds for equipment plus fisheries staff time Supported installation of otter fencing at Soham By-pass Fishery. We are working closely with Norfolk Rivers Trust, Greensands Trust and Milton Keynes Parks Trust to influence their work/project programme, and provide technical advice and practical assistance where we can. We will have Upper & Bedford Ouse Catchment Partnerships that can to deliver fisheries outcomes. Working with a range of clubs and the AT to progress angling participation outcomesnotably Milton Keynes AA, Biggleswade and Hitchin AA, Shefford &District AA, Cambridge Fish Preservation AS, Cottenham School and Manor Farm Fishery

6 Northern Area River Witham improvement u/s Great Ponton, fished by GAFFS, some work to be completed this coming spring. Total cost 35k Progressing fisheries improvements at Barkston on the River Witham in association with GAFFS, some delays due to landowner issues. Cost to date 9k River Witham improvement at Easton, near to a popular length fished by GAFF. Total cost 40k Duston mill stream on the River Nene riparian and river habitat improvements. Total cost 36k Pennywort Control on the river Nene- FCRM/Waterways funded Production of eel habitat priority plans for Nene, Welland, Glen, Witham & drains, Steeping, Ancholme. In progress. 4k FCRM funding. Woody material project d/s Orton Weir on the Nene to protect canoe club bank. Waiting for consent and must be completed before breeding bird season. 2k FCRM money Revitalise project support. Delivered Rushton loop restoration on the Ise. 6k fisheries and biodiversity funding Angler access improvements and site maintenance- Wainfleet, Maud Foster, Peterborough and North Bank. 4k FCRM/Fisheries funding

7 River Welland WFD programme Harringworth, u/s Ashley improvement works and Stonton Brook. 126k WFD GiA WFD Fish passes 3 small ones on Maxey Cut to make passage easier at low flows. Also weir removal at Stonton and Langton Brooks. Snagging issues at Tallington, Duddington and Ashley. Preparatory work at Market Harborough to support Welland Rivers Trust. WFD GiA funded. Supported installation of otter fencing at Revesby Reservoir Fishery. Angling Participation Work- Wooton Parish Council pegs, Cleethorpes AC pegs, Fermyn Wood taster session, Burghley country show support, Boston & District AA school competition prizes, ECL events, Flylife training for GAFFS, Rutland Water fly fishing taster event- 5k rod licence plus partner funding Snipe Dales on Lymn to improve brook through Lincs Wildlife Trust reserve for trout. Fisheries and Biodiversity funded. Ongoing Fisheries Research Title Partners Lead Area Using ADCP technology to develop indicators for fish passage assessment DIDSON assessment of fish behaviour at tidal flap fish passes Validation study for Siphon Fish Pass Investigation into minimising fish entrainment and mortality at EA Pumping Stations Development of fish passage and guidance technology at obstructions and intakes Providing robust on-water positioning & 3D environmental mapping for autonomous river ecosystem monitoring Developing sensors for Prymnesium and its natural product toxin. Investigating barbel populations on the Upper Ouse Crayfish impacts on fine sediment dynamics in lowland rivers Developing a monitoring tool to identify and quantify the impacts of particulate matter in freshwater ecosystems. Understanding the behaviour & movement of eel in relation to physical and hydrodynamic conditions at riverine & tidal structures Quantifying fish response to acoustic bubbles in fresh and saline water: the pathway to effective "Scarefish" technology Cranfield University Aquatic Control Engineering/Fish Flow International/HIFI HIFI University of Southampton Cranfield University, John Innes Institute University of Bournemouth Loughborough University Brighton University CEFAS NERC/University of Southampton/CEFAS /Eastern Eastern Northern Northern Eastern Eastern