Fisheries Newsletter Winter 2016 What's been happening in Hertfordshire and North London

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1 Fisheries Newsletter Winter 2016 What's been happening in Hertfordshire and North London Welcome to the latest update from the Fisheries team in Hertfordshire and North London. We present a round-up of some of the latest news nationally, as well as a selection of things that have been happening locally in the HNL area. "We are always keen to hear feedback from you on what you would like us to change or include for future newsletters - please contact Rob at rob.pearson@environmentagency.gov.uk" Want to know where your rodlicence money is spent? Check the Annual Fisheries Report! The latest Annual Fisheries Report is now available HERE. The report contains a wealth of information on what the Agency has done nationally to achieve a better environment for fish, get more people fishing and more satisfied customers. Covering the period of 2014/15, it outlines what has been spent where, including fisheries monitoring and improvements, enforcement and incident management, angling and rod licence information as well as environmental and fisheries issues. Rod Licence Sales Increase in Hertfordshire and North London Nationally, rod sales decreased slightly, however sales in the Hertfordshire and North London have shown an upturn in This is good news and we thank all the anglers in our area for buying a licence which helps maintain, improve and develop fisheries across a wide range of activities in the area. "Fisheries Minister George Eustice confirmed proposed changes to the Rod Licence from April 2017" Further good news is that a review of rod licencing has been undertaken with the intention of improving the rod licence service to anglers. Fisheries Minister George Eustice confirmed proposed changes to the licence from April 2017, including "a full year rolling licence rather than a fixed single season; an option to buy a licence for a maximum of three rods as an alternative to the current two and a free junior licence for anglers under the age of 16." These will be advertised formally in the Spring. Increase in unseasonal fish mortalities We have seen an exceptionally mild winter this year coupled with warmer wet weather affecting some parts of the country. Milder winters have an impact on a range of physical, chemical and biological factors. Some of these may be beneficial for fisheries, such as increased survival of juvenile fish in both rivers and stillwaters. Other impacts

2 may be less desirable, for example, last year we saw a handful of stillwater fisheries suffering from low dissolved oxygen levels as late as December. eel passage on the Lea, sited at Holyfield Weir and Nazeing Labyrinth Weir. Designs have now been completed for the eel passes, and we are consulting with our Flood and Coastal Risk Management Team to ensure they are suitable from a flood risk perspective. We hope to have the passes installed and functioning this year. Tewin Fly Fishers- Going Wild! Smaller pools with extensive tree cover are more susceptable to late autumn D/O crashes The HNL Fisheries Team are working in partnership with the Tewin Fly Fishers Club and the Wild Trout Trust to help the angling club reach their aspiration of Going Wild. With guidance from the Wild Trout Trust and the Environment Agency, they are switching their focus from artificial stocking of farmed trout, to implementing river habitat improvements and restoration techniques designed to encourage a sustainable, wild, brown trout population. Smaller stillwaters enclosed by trees are particularly susceptible at this time of year as they typically take a large amount of leaf-fall, as this breaks down it removes dissolved oxygen from the water. The surrounding tree growth further compounds the problem by acting as a wind shield, preventing the re-oxygenating action of wind mixing the surface of the water body. Algal and submerged plant die back also contribute to the organic loading, and as temperatures stay milder for longer it contributes to a higher biological oxygen demand. We encourage clubs and fisheries to report these events but we also advise clubs to prepare for them by having the right equipment, such as dissolved oxygen meters and access to aerators. We can also provide fishery management advice on how to avoid or minimise these effects in the future. Slimy Wrigglers Project The HNL Fisheries team are working in partnership with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust to investigate structures within the Middle Lea that are barriers to eel migration. We have identified two structures that would be high priority for allowing Brown trout caught on investigative survey at Tewin The Agency has conducted fish population surveys to investigate the current trout population dynamics and assess current success of natural recruitment. After visiting the site with the angling club representatives the Wild Trout Trust has produced a report with recommendations on habitat enhancements that will improve spawning habitat along with the general morphology of the river.

3 Fighting Fish Kills on the Lower Lee! The HNL Fisheries Team are working in partnership with the River Lee Anglers Club and the Canal and Rivers Trust to help improve our response to fish kills on the Lower Lee. We are hoping to arm volunteers from the River Lee Anglers Club with a DO metre and some aeration units to assist us in responding to diffused pollution incidents on the Lee navigation between Ponders End and Picketts Lock. The Angling club will receive training on how to identify low DO events and also on how to operate the equipment safely. We are hoping to run a trial this summer throughout the fish mortality season. a collaboration between charities, community groups, borough councils, private businesses & government agencies in the five boroughs that border the River Crane. The CVP set up a fisheries group to direct the recovery of the rivers fish population using an evidence based approach. Information from our electro-fishing surveys before and after the pollution events has been used to guide the restocking of the river. To date over fish have been stocked since the pollution, including barbel, chub, dace, roach and bream. Our most recent surveys indicate that as well as these stocked fish beginning to disperse through the system, we are also seeing natural recovery of gudgeon, as well as minor species including stone loach, bullhead minnows and stickleback. Interestingly we have also recorded 0+ juvenile fish, indicating natural recruitment is happening in the river. Fisheries Officer George Horne instructing volunteers on the use of a dissolved oxygen meter Crane Catchment focus; the rise of the Crane Valley Partnership and recovery of the River Crane Many will remember the devastating pollution events that affected the Crane in 2011 and 2013, which resulted in an almost total wipe out of the fish population over many kilometres of river. One of our key partners in monitoring and assisting in the recovery of the river is the Crane Valley Partnership. The Crane Valley Partnership (CVP) is London Wildlife Trust Officer Tom White releasing some of the recent stock fish into the River Crane As well as assisting with the stocking of the river, the CVP oversees a number of projects designed to improve the habitat for fish and other wildlife, and restore and protect the river. For example the Citizen Crane project helps monitor water quality throughout the catchment. This monitoring aims to identify potential problems sooner, before they impact fish and other wildlife. The CVP has also instigated on the ground habitat improvements. For example a recent project

4 involved the creation of backwater areas and installation of brushwood berm s and gravel riffles at Crane Valley Park. Habitat works such as the provision of backwaters, enable fish to move out of the way of slugs of poor quality water, increasing the survival rate of fish in such events and hence the resilience of the fish population. The CVP s Catchment Plan is helping them take a strategic approach to developing projects and working in a joined-up way across the catchment, it is available to view HERE. habitats can be particularly important in times of high flows when juveniles are at risk of wash out. Site of the proposed backwater being assessed in May 2015 Volunteers from the project turned out to assist with the recent introduction of Calverton fish at Crane Valley Park. Let s hope the fish appreciate the efforts that have gone into their new home! To keep up to date with the work of the CVP and to newsletter, please head to Monitoring and assessing projects once they have been completed is essential for understanding their benefits, and showing whether they have been successful or not. We jumped at the opportunity to visit the site when the Colne underwent its first flood flows in December to assess how the backwater operated in such conditions. Surpassing our expectations we were actually able to film a large shoal of juvenile fish flashing and topping in the backwater, clearly using the calmer environment of the backwater to escape the turbulent flows of the main river. Catch up on the Colne We are regularly impressed by how quickly fish will start to use suitable habitat once it has been provided for them. This year we grabbed an opportunity to work with Countryside Management Services and Watford Piscators to implement some habitat works, including gravel riffles, wetland scrapes and a backwater designed to provide refuge for juvenile fish, on the Withy Beds site on the Colne near Rickmansworth. These refuge Completed backwater in flood conditions December 2015

5 2015 Fisheries Survey Data released Each year, we conduct a number of fish population surveys across the Hertfordshire and North London Area. These surveys are conducted for three main reasons, as part of our requirement to monitor the environment under the Water Framework Directive, to monitor areas of angling interest through the National Fisheries Monitoring Programme, and also for local investigative monitoring purposes. This data forms part of a long term data set, and is presented in the form of annual report compiled by our Sampling and Collection team. Data collected from surveys enables us to estimate the density of fish populations in a reach, as well as the total biomass of fish, and the diversity or number of species. Taking scale sample from collected fish allows the ageing of fish, and when compared with the fishes length allows us to plot the growth rates of fish from each catchment. Roach caught from the Bulbourne at Boxmoor The report for the 2015 survey will soon be complete, and can be obtained by request to ben.radbone@environmentagency.gov.uk Enforcement News An investigative survey taking place on the Bulbourne at Boxmoor. Gathering baseline data before planned habitat improvement works are implemented on this reach Our Fisheries Enforcement Officers are patrolling our waterways on a daily basis, checking rod licences and keeping an eager eye out for offences. We would remind anyone who spots anything suspicous to report it on our hotline number We also ask that members of the public do not remove the offending equipment themselves. It denies us the opportunity, in the right circumstance, to potentially catch the culprit returning to remove their equipment. We would remind anyone who spots anything suspicious to report it on our hotline number Results from the surveys are useful for analysing long term trends in fish populations across catchments, that can be compared against other data, such as hydro-climatic data, to gain an understanding of factors influencing success of populations. Many of you will have seen the press reports regarding the large gill net discovered across the Thames at Teddington. Although we have not found anything quite at that scale, in our Hertfordshire and North London area we do come across similar offences. For example, in the last 6 months we have found 2 illegal gill nets and several

6 unlicenced crayfish traps on the Lea Navigation between Tottenham and Hertford. we re grateful to him for his support and enthusiasm in Hertfordshire and North London. We are now working with the Trust on a pilot to extend the service by training a number of volunteers to hold a fisheries warrant enabling them to undertake some local rod licence checking activity under direction of the Agency. Our area enforcement specialist Adrian Brightley is undertaking a national assignment to help roll out the scheme nationally. Details about the Volunteer Bailiff Service and how to apply can be found on the Angling Trust website HERE. Fisheries Enforcement Officer Steve Robinson with a haul of illegal gill nets and traps This type of equipment, as well as set lines, can be very discreet and well hidden. Please remain vigilant. Volunteer Bailiff Service VBS pilot scheme Our fisheries team have been involved in the Angling Trust Volunteer Bailiff Service from day one, since its initial inception by Mike Heylin, then Chairman of the Colne Valley Angling Consultative. Mikes vision was to support volunteers from the angling community working as eyes and ears on the ground, reporting fisheries offences to the Environment Agency local team and working in partnership to detect and deter offenders. Fisheries enforcement in the Agency is intelligence led, which means we rely on good quality, accurate information about where and when offences may be happening. The first phase of the scheme supported a number of volunteers acting in this capacity under direction of the Angling Trust. Ken Axtel stepped up as the volunteer bailiff lead and Looking for a sign? Our enforcement officers have a limited number of signs covering the close season and rod licence requirement, which they put up at hot-spot locations. This type of signage can be useful if we do catch offenders to help strengthen a case if it goes to court. Get in touch with us if you would like signage installed or need advice on signage at your fishery.

7 Example of the signage available from our fisheries enforcement team News from the Fisheries Team Many of you may well recognise the smiling face of Fisheries Enforcement Officer Steve Robinson. Steve has been a valuable member of the team for the past few years, and a regular face to fisherman in the Lea catchment whilst out on the bank in the course of his work, always willing to spend a few moments talking fishing, or his other passion Motorbikes! Unfortunately for us, Steve has moved to a job down in Eastbourne, to be closer to his family he will be sorely missed in the Hertfordshire and North London area. Steve was presented with a beach casting fishing setup at his leaving do, as he intends to do a lot more sea fishing now that he is closer to the coast. Steve we wait the pictures of your first monster Cod! All of us in the fisheries team have a passion for angling when we get the chance. Lea catchment technical officer George has been having a great season, catching a number of big fish from one of his home Club waters, culminating in this whopping 39lb 12oz mirror. He also caught a huge eel of 6lb 11oz targeting them from the same club water over the summer.

8 Management Case Study: Stocking rivers, when is it appropriate? The new Site Permit system for regulating the stocking of fish has been in place for over a year now. Designed to reduce the beaurocracy compared to the previous consenting process, particularly for 'lower risk' stillwater fisheries. Unlike the permanent Site Permits issued for stillwaters, Site Permits for rivers are time limited, require the source of the fish to be listed and are also likely to contain a stocking biomass limit, for both coarse and salmonid introductions. This reflects the fact that stocking fish into rivers has a higher risk to the wider environment, compared to the majority of stillwater fisheries. These processes are in place to avoid impacts to the existing natural stock of the river, whether from disease, competition for resources, or as more recently being investigated the loss of genetic integrity in native populations. For example, brown trout stocked into rivers may only be sterile, triploid fish, unless they are sourced through a local catchment broodstock scheme. In each case there will be a stocking limit set based on density of fish per square metre of river habitat. The effects of resource competition and dilution of genetic integrity have been well studied in trout, and the risk to local populations is well understood, hence why these measure have been introduced. In comparison there is less of an evidence base on the effect of coarse fish introductions into rivers, and currently no requirement for local broodstock fish to be used for stocking purposes. Stocked coarse fish do have to be sourced from a Cefas registered and tested fish farm however, to ensure that they are from a completely disease-free source. Although there is a general presumption against stocking coarse fish to simply enhance a river fishery, it is accepted that in some cases the introduction of coarse fish to restore or protect fisheries can be considered. It is important for fishery managers to realise that simply stocking fish will not address the long term issues with the environment and habitat that have led to a reduction in the fish population. These issues have to be considered when the agency does its own stocking of coarse fish into rivers. For example this year we stocked approximately 15,000 fish into rivers across the Hertfordshire and North London area, from our rodlicence funded fish farm at Calverton. The sites we stock are carefully selected and prioritised according to a number of factors. Firstly, there may well be factors outside of a fishery managers control that have led to a sudden demise in fish populations, a clear example would be pollution events. In this situation it may be appropriate to restock with the native species that were encountered at these sites before the event, to speed up the recovery of the fishery. This year we reintroduced fish as part of pollution recovery plans at various sites on the River Crane and the River Colne between Rickmansworth and Watford. We also consider sites where the controlling fishery has made an effort to consider and address the environmental issues reducing the fish population, generally through river restoration and habitat improvements. Assessing the available habitat and current fish population allows you to target habitat bottlenecks that are preventing expansion of the fish population. This might be lack of suitable spawning habitat preventing recruitment, nowhere for juvenile fish to escape high flood flows, or an absence of refuge for adult fish to avoid predation. Addressing these issues and then supplementing with stocked fish is better fishery management. We are also more than happy to help fishery manager's identifying these issues, whether that's with a walkover habitat survey and report, or investigative fish population survey - get in touch with your local catchment Fisheries Officer. Another delivery of Calverton Coarse Fish