Salmon research report 213 WRC Beaumont, L Scott, AT Ibbotson, R Lauridsen, S Gregory and D Roberts www.gwct.org.uk/salmonreport 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT 1
Contents page 1. Abstract 3 Acknowledgements 2. Introduction 4 3. Salmon research report Parr populations Autumn migrants 7 Smolt counting 8 Adult numbers 9 Data vertification 1 Adult data 213 11 PIT tagged adult returns 12 Fish size and sea-age 12 Hourly database 12 4. Other studies 13 Bindon Abbey 13 Rotary Screw Trap experiment 14 Poole Harbour netting 14 MorFish 1 River flow 1. References 1 6. Figures for the 213 adult salmon data report 16 Authors: WRC Beaumont, L Scott AT Ibbotson, R Lauridsen, S Gregory and D Roberts Intellectual property rights Confidentiality statement In accordance with our normal practice, this report is for the use only of the party to whom it is addressed, and no responsibility is accepted to any third party for the whole or any part of its contents. Neither the whole nor any part of this may be included in any published document, circular or statement, nor published in any way without our written approval of the form and context in which it may appear. All rights reserved. For more information please contact the: GWCT s Salmon & Trout Research Centre, East Stoke, Wareham, Dorset, BH2 6BB. Tel: 1929 41894 Email: wbeaumont@gwct.org.uk Front cover: Salmon. Laurie Campbell. Below: Tagging parr; electro-fishing off a boom boat; monitoring salmon on the River Scorff in France. 2 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT
1. Abstract Welcome to the 213 report from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust s Salmon & Trout Research Centre. This gives a brief summary of the research carried out on the salmon population of the River Frome, Dorset over the past year. 213 was the 41st year of the salmon counter s operation at East Stoke. It was an extremely good year for the juvenile phases of salmon with high numbers of every life stage being recorded. For the adults it was very poor. Parr numbers in the river in September 212 were very good: the third highest since 22 and the number of autumn migrant parr that went past East Stoke was high: the second highest we have recorded. The spring monitoring of smolts was excellent and, at over 13,, was over twice the number recorded in 212. On the adult count, equipment failure meant that some data that we normally collect on salmon movement was lost. For this reason we have added an efficiency estimate to the collected data to give an estimated nett upstream count of 343 fish. This is the lowest number ever recorded on the counter. Adult numbers calculated from PIT tag returns give an estimate very similar to this (383) so we are confident that the numbers were low. This low number of adults is also in agreement with our prediction last year about low numbers of grilse returning this year. The collaboration with the Poole Harbour netsman continues with only one sea trout caught, tagged and released in 213. Our research (with Cefas) on the effect of using rotary screw traps to assess salmon smolt numbers was completed and results will be analysed and written up as soon as possible. The research on the medium and long-term effect of Archimedes screw turbines on salmon smolts and eels also got underway using the facility at Bindon Abbey. Our current Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag detection equipment is getting very fragile and the manufacturer is no longer supplying new equipment. After reviewing available options we have found sponsorship and funding to replace the readers with new state of the art equipment. The new detectors will be better able to withstand the high river flows we have recently experienced and installation should take place this summer. Mean annual discharge (up to December) was above average, however, the mean monthly discharge in January 214 was the highest ever recorded for that month. Finally we are continuing to work with our French colleagues at INRA in Rennes, France, on the Monitoring for Migratory Fish (MorFish) project which will compare data to give us a better understanding of the changes in our populations of migratory fish. Acknowledgements Professor Nick Sotherton Director of Research, Advisory & Education The MorFish project has been selected in the context of the INTERREG IV A France (Channel) England European crossborder co-operation programme, which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. We are grateful for the support of the following organisations and people: Freshwater Biological Association; Environment Agency; Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science; the Frome, Piddle and West Dorset Fisheries Association; Mr Anthony Daniell; Aithrie Estates; Winton Charitable Trust; Zochonis Charitable Trust; Valentine Charitable Trust; Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Charitable Trust; Brendish Family Foundation; Iliffe Family Charitable Trust; Atlantic Salmon Trust; Salmon & Trout Association; Winton Capital and Mr Rupert Harris. Bindon Abbey: The help and funding from the Lulworth Estate, the Salmon & Trout Association and the Environment Agency for these detectors is gratefully acknowledged. Clive Evans and Laurence Lloyd-Jones went above and beyond the call of duty in helping to build and install the tag detector frames. We would like to thank Harry Warr and the Shaftesbury Estates for access and help in using the eel racks at East Burton for fish capture. Finally, but importantly, we are grateful to the many land and fishery owners on the River Frome. Without their co-operation in accessing the river much of this research would not be possible. 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT 3
2. Introduction The estimation of upstream movements of adult salmon at East Stoke has been carried out since 1973. As such, it is one of the most comprehensive, long-term records of salmon movement in Europe. Since 29 the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has managed the counter ensuring the continuity of data collection. However, the help and support of the Freshwater Biological Association (who own the site) in enabling this continuation of monitoring is also gratefully acknowledged. Over the 41 years of monitoring the salmon population we have also built up an unparalleled infrastructure both at East Stoke and elsewhere within the river catchment. This enables us to monitor both the migration of adult salmon upstream and the juveniles going downstream at a catchment scale. The site also allows the detection of small Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags that we use to individually mark juvenile salmon. Figure 1 gives a schematic plan of the East Stoke site. Figure 1 Site plan of the counting equipment at the Salmon & Trout Research Centre at East Stoke Direction of flow River Frome Adult fish counter Main river bubble screen Millstream Fluvarium 1 metres Salmon & Trout Research Centre Flat-bed PIT decoders The combined counting and tag detection facilities for both adult and juvenile stages at East Stoke offers a unique opportunity to answer questions about salmon life history that would be difficult to repeat on other rivers. In particular, the use of PIT tag technology means that we are able to get a greater understanding of: The critical mortality phases of salmon. The site-dependant factors that affect mortality and emigration in the river. The interactions between the freshwater production of smolts and the marine production of adults. Based on data collected on parr numbers in 211 and smolt numbers in 212, we predicted that grilse numbers were likely to be low in 213: almost certainly due to the low flow conditions in 211. This prediction proved to be correct and shows the importance of the freshwater phase survival as well as the marine problems the fish are experiencing. 4 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT
3. Salmon research report The principle aim of the GWCT salmon research on the River Frome is to estimate the population numbers of salmon at different stages in their life history (parr, smolt and adults). From this we can estimate the mortality between those stages and try to understand the causes of that mortality. All of the population estimates for juvenile salmon rely on the detection of PIT tags in individual fish swimming past our array of PIT tag detectors on the main river. The high water levels early in 213 meant that in the main river, PIT tag detection vanes had to be raised to prevent damage to them. By April the flow had subsided enough to lower the vanes and the system ran almost continuously for the rest of the year. In total 64 days were lost with 61 of those being in the period February to April when few fish would have been moving. Parr populations Trying to estimate the total number of parr in the whole river is very difficult. If carried out by electro-fishing alone you would have to fish every metre of the river: an impossible undertaking. However, it is possible to estimate population numbers by marking some of the population and then sampling the population later-on and seeing what proportion are marked. We use a variation of this method to determine the number of parr in the river. We mark the fish in September using PIT tags as our method of marking, and recapture them (either physically or just by detecting the tags) in the autumn and spring migration periods as they swim past East Stoke. In September, for each of the past nine years, we have electro-fished and tagged approximately 1, juvenile salmon (about 1-1% of the juvenile salmon population of the whole river) with PIT tags. These small tags (just 12mm long x 2mm wide see picture) are inserted into parr and enable us to individually identify the fish when they swim past any of our readers. We also remove the adipose fin (the small one behind the dorsal fin) so that we and other fishery surveys can identify tagged fish when they are recaptured. In 213 we tagged over 1, parr. Salmon parr and PIT tag (circled). Individual ID of the tag is shown on the label. 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT
The passage of the PIT tagged fish out to sea is recorded by equipment mounted on the East Stoke smolt counter and the main river weir. The main river reader also allows the detection of the returning PIT tagged adult fish. There are also detectors mounted on the Louds Mill fish pass at Dorchester, at Tadnoll Mill on the Tadnoll Brook and the weir, hydro-turbine system and fish-pass at Bindon Abbey. This combination of autumn tagging and spring smolt counting with tag detection allows us to get an estimate of the total number of salmon parr in the river in the autumn. We need to know the number of tagged fish in the following year s smolt run to calculate this so only data to 212 can be shown (see Figure 2). These records, together with the records from the other PIT tag readers, are giving us uniquely valuable information about freshwater survival rates. The information will enable us to determine survival from individual reaches of the river and link the growth rates of the juvenile fish with the time of migration. Data on freshwater survival, marine survival and life history strategy from different tributaries will also be obtained. Figure 2 Estimated autumn parr numbers with confidence limits 16, 14, 12, Autumn parr numbers 1, 8, 6, 4, 2, Our autumn tagging and spring smolt counting help us to estimate the total number of salmon parr in the autumn. 22 23 24 2 26 27 28 29 21 211 212 Year 6 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT
Autumn migrants The PIT tag detector vanes on the main weir also allow us to monitor the autumn downstream run of parr in the river (see Figure 3). Some parr move downstream in the autumn and reside in the lower river over winter. No. of PIT tag detections per day 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 Autumn migrants Spring smolts Figure 3 Records of 9,927 parr/smolt detected moving down past East Stoke (2-21) 1 Oct 1 Nov 1 Dec 1 Jan 1 Feb 1 Mar 1 April 1 May 1 June Although this phenomenon has been reported before, it has not been fully studied, quantified or explained. Our studies to date show that this movement is an active downstream migration ie. the fish are not just passively drifting downstream. However, on the other hand, the fish are not able to tolerate salt water. We have found that many of these fish reside over winter in the lower river as far downstream as Wareham and we are currently undertaking experiments to better understand this behaviour. We have recorded the first return of an adult fish that was an autumn migrant (Riley et al. 29) and we will continue to examine returns from the adult fish to see if the survival of these early moving fish is better than the fish that migrate in the spring, the usual migration time for the smolts. We are also looking at the additional dangers these autumn migrants face in the lower river. 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT 7
Salmon smolts swim down the river and are diverted down the millstream by the acoustic bubble screen. Smolt counting Since 199 we have been counting the number of smolts emigrating from the river. To do this we use a device called a Bio-Acoustic Fish Fence (BAFF) to divert the fish into the millstream at East Stoke. The BAFF is simply a curtain of bubbles that also has sound entrained within the bubbles, thereby using both the visual impression of a barrier (the bubbles) with the sound to divert the fish. As any tagged fish that do pass through the deflector have to pass out through the detectors on the main river weir, we get an estimate of the efficiency of the BAFF system. This has been shown to be very good, with deflection rates of above 8%. We use this deflection efficiency to calculate total numbers of smolts migrating down the river. Provision is made for adult fish to be able to negotiate the apparatus and additional studies have Figure 4 Daily count of smolts caught in the Rotary 6 3 Screw Trap, mean discharge records and daily mean temperature Smolts Total discharge Water temperature Number of smolts per day 4 3 2 3 2 2 1 1 Discharge/water temperature 1 1.4.13 3.4.13.4.13 7.4.13 9.4.13 11.4.13 13.4.13 1.4.13 17.4.13 19.4.13 21.4.13 23.4.13 2.4.13 27.4.13 29.4.13 1..13 3..13..13 7..13 9..13 8 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT
shown that the system does not affect upstream adult movement. In the millstream the fish pass through the fluvarium tanks where (being a smaller volume of water) we can more easily count them electronically. The daily smolt migration pattern for 213 is shown in Figure 4. Data are from the Rotary Screw Trap. This trap ran continuously for the six weeks of the smolt run this year and gives a good indication of the run pattern. The data from the early years of the smolt counting are not good quality and in some years no estimate at all was possible. However, as equipment and methods have been improved, better estimates have been possible. Figure shows the annual smolt count, with numbers in 213 the third highest that we have recorded in 12 years. We believe that there is a serious gap in our knowledge of juvenile salmon over the winter period. Our spring smolt output appears to be low in comparison with the number of parr the river holds in the previous September, even after accounting for the autumn migration. We have therefore started a new study of the over-wintering ecology of salmon parr, concentrating on migration, habitat requirements and habitat shifts. We will report on this work in future years. 2, 2, Figure Annual smolt estimate and confidence limits (where available) Smolt numbers 1, 1,, 199 96 97 98 99 2 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 21 11 12 13 Year Adult numbers Data are collected by a Scottish Hydro-Electric Mk Xb resistivity counter connected to three stainless steel electrodes mounted 4mm apart on the Environment Agency gauging weir at East Stoke (NGR SY 867868). The counter works by constantly measuring the electrical resistance of the water. When a fish (of sufficient size) passes over the electrodes the resistance changes and is registered on the counter. A full description of the history of the counter and preliminary long-term results are given in Beaumont et al. (27). In conjunction with data on salmon movement, information on water temperature, air temperature and light levels are also collected at 1 minute intervals from a purpose-built instrumentation and an on-site weather station. Hydrological (discharge) summaries are derived from Environment Agency data (Copyright Environment Agency). All data are collated as hourly records. Salmon run data are presented for the period February to January inclusive. Past data and personal observations indicate that the majority of the upstream movement in January is caused by the continued migration of fish from the previous calendar year migrating to spawn, not fish migrating to spawn in 11 months time. Data are presented either as total numbers ascending or descending or nett numbers ascending (ie. upstream minus downstream). Unless noted, all data are for verified counts. During January, February and March the downstream counts are not subtracted from the upstream counts as a high percentage are caused by downstream moving 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT 9
The weir at East Stoke with the PIT tag detecting vanes raised for their annual service. kelts (post-spawning salmon). Some kelts, however, carry out repeated up and down movement over the weir and if down-counts are not subtracted this can lead to over counting these fish. Therefore, where it is clear that up-counts have been caused by kelts, these are subtracted from the totals. Data verification A large part of the effort in running the East Stoke counter is focused on verifying and matching the various counts from the monitoring equipment. Data are verified by a combination of trace waveform analysis (see Beaumont et al. 1986), video frame-grab and videotape analysis. In addition, frame grabs can be taken from the computer screen and stored. Only rarely are raw, unverified data used. An example of the computer verification system s display is shown below. A salmon can be seen on the video picture and the electrical trace is shown on the bottom section of the screen. Text boxes along the bottom of the display record, number of records; number of frame grabs; input signal value; time of day; number of records registered by computer and counter. Screen display from the computerised counting and evaluation system. The image shows a 7cm salmon ascending the weir. Electrodes Computer trace 1 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT
When the computer and video system was operational, accuracy of waveform assessment was carried out by comparing identity assessed from computer waveform traces with identity observed from video records. For periods when the computer system was not operational, counts were assessed by direct examination of the video data. Raw data from the counter are rarely used in an unverified form and the data for the run are compiled from a combination of counter, computer and video records ie. all computer trace records and counter records are checked on the video to identify the cause of the record. Raw fish counter data are only used when computer or video data are not available. Provided adequate water clarity, video records are 1% accurate and assessment of accuracy of interpretation of the computer records is made from comparing trace identity with the video records. Where water clarity is poor, just computer trace records are used to verify data. Despite the electronic counter working 364 days last year, the logger we use to collect the data from the electronic counter failed. This meant that dates and times of potential fish that would normally be checked on the video system were not available. To compensate for this (potential) reduction in numbers, the waveform counts have this year been adjusted for accuracy. This accuracy figure is obtained from the video data that is viewed independently of the waveform data. A total of 23 days of video records were watched to check the detection accuracy. Adult numbers given are therefore estimated rather than absolute counts. Only seven days of waveform verification were lost (due to the computer crashing and power cuts). Video data were collected for 224 days and these did not include times when the video was running but the water was too turbid to identify or see fish. There were no days without verification of count data from any source (waveform or video). (Far left) A large sea lamprey; (Left) A shoal of mullet going over the weir. Adult data 213 Figure 6 shows daily upstream and downstream counts together with mean daily discharge data. The table shows monthly data from the counter and gives gross upstream and gross downstream counts as well as the nett upstream count and the number of ascending kelts not included in the upstream records. The estimated number of adult salmon ascending the river is 343 Data from the PIT tagged returning adults can also be used to calculate the population size. Using this method gives a total run of 383, confirming the low estimate above. Figure 7 shows the historic annual nett run data (with pre-198 data being corrected for down-counts). The run of fish in 213 is the lowest ever recorded for the Frome. Figure 8 shows time of day of fish movement over the weir. The avoidance of daylight hours during the summer months and the preference for daylight in the October to December period can be clearly seen. As yet we are not sure of the reason for this variation in run pattern. 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT 11
PIT tagged adult returns Repairs after the 212 floods kept the main river PIT tag reader out of action until April. However, the low and steady flows in 213 resulted in good conditions until the floods in December when we had to lift the vanes to avoid damage. Over the year the system was fully operational for 73% of the time; detecting 18 PIT tagged adult salmon. The PIT tag readers installed at Bindon Mill detected 17 adults with 1 individuals recorded on both readers giving a total of 2 tagged adult salmon detected. This salmon was a huge 13cm long and probably weighed more than lbs. Fish size and sea age We measured lengths of 189 upstream migrating fish in 213 (Figure 9) with the largest being a fish of 13cm (see photo). This huge fish was a male and had also been hooked by an angler in the lower river; much to his consternation when it threw the hook before being landed. Given the length of this fish, when it first returned to freshwater it probably weighed around 2kg (+ lbs). Length estimates include data where only approximate length data are available. These are from periods where there was some turbidity in the water and only approximate (± cm) length data can be obtained. In past years these data were not used leading to a loss of data that still has some value in assigning sea-age to migrating fish. Data from fish below cm and fish that are obviously the same fish vacillating over the weir have been excluded from the data set. The length data obtained from the video records are used to calculate the proportion of one sea-winter (grilse) and multi-sea-winter (MSW) fish migrating each month. This proportion is then used to calculate the numbers each month and for the whole year. Size limits for grilse have been calculated from the historic scale data from the Frome that we have. These data, however, may have inaccuracies due to changing sizes of the grilse (getting smaller) that have been reported since the size thresholds were calculated. As yet we do not have sufficient new data to recalculate these thresholds. There are also some inaccuracies caused by low numbers of measured fish unduly influencing the proportions. However, the data provide a starting point for examining the partition between grilse and MSW fish and its variation over the years. Sea survival of adults As outlined above, we have been concerned about the accuracy of our estimates of grilse and multi-sea-winter fish that we get from our length data. However, we now have sufficient data from our returning PIT tagged salmon that we can get data on sea survival (a slightly different way of expressing return rates for the different sea ages) from tag returns. This also gives us absolute separation of one, two and three sea winter fish: something few other river monitoring sites are capable of. We will be working on this historic data in the coming year. Hourly database Appendix I shows data from the hourly database for each month. As well as total upstream salmon numbers in an hour, hourly averages (4 x 1 minute readings) of water discharge ((East Stoke Millstream (ESMS) discharge is shown separately as dark blue on top of light blue main river (East Stoke flume) discharge upper boundary of data therefore is total discharge) from Environment Agency data). The temperature logger started giving false data last year and this data will (for 213) be sourced from the Freshwater Biological Association temperature logging systems being operated at East Stoke. 12 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT
4. Other studies Bindon Abbey This year we installed a different design of PIT tag reader into the various hatches and hydro-turbine tail race at Bindon Abbey. The new detectors are designed to detect parr and smolts swimming in the mid- and upper-water column as well as the adults on the bottom. Although modern Archimedes turbine designs are meant to be fish friendly no medium or long-term data are available to verify this. By detecting parr and smolts migrating downstream through the turbine, we can then see if there is a difference in survival to East Stoke (2.8km downstream) than those that use different migration routes. By detecting the subsequent return of adults we should be able, in time, to assess long-term effects of passing through the turbine. With the current PIT tag readers it is also possible to study if the adults are held up around the turbine outflow or whether they migrate up the pass or hatches without undue delay. The new detectors are at the limit of the technology and considerable teething problems were experienced with commissioning them. This resulted in the units having to be returned to the manufacturer over the period of the smolt run. The detectors have subsequently been reinstalled (including repositioning the turbine tag detectors) and we are now collecting data from them. (Inset) The Archimedes turbine being installed at Bindon Abbey. (Below) The multiple PIT tag detection antenna system installed at the bottom of the hydro-turbine will help us to determine how fish friendly these turbines are. 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT 13
We are investigating whether fish that have been caught in the Rotary Screw Trap have higher marine mortalities. Rotary Screw Trap experiment We have completed our joint study with Cefas on the effect of Rotary Screw Traps (RSTs) on subsequent smolt survival (see Figure 4). RSTs are widely used to trap and count migrating salmon smolts on other rivers. However, there have been concerns that the process may be detrimental to the fish. This project involves us using the information that we get from monitoring the PIT tagged fish to assess whether fish that have been trapped in the RST have higher marine mortalities. Results will be written up this year. Poole Harbour netting Under an agreement with the River Frome salmon net licence holder, the Environment Agency and the Frome, Piddle & West Dorset Fisheries Association we are monitoring the salmon and sea-trout net catch from Poole Harbour. All salmon and sea-trout caught are tagged using a visible Floy tag and/or a PIT tag implanted into the body cavity of the fish. The fish are then released and we see if they are caught by the rods or pass the East Stoke detecting equipment. GWCT staff accompanied the netsman on four netting occasions. Only one sea trout was caught, PIT tagged. floy tagged and released. We have not detected it on the PIT tag detectors in the river. Sea trout caught and released from the Poole Harbour net. Note the Floy tag by the dorsal fin. 14 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT
MorFish (Monitoring For Migratory Fish) In June 212 the Fisheries department was successful in getting EU Interreg funding. The project is called MorFish (Monitoring For Migratory Fish) and involves working in partnership with the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) based in Rennes, Brittany. The project will run until June 21 and we will be collaborating to deliver three key objectives: Aligning the data collection on salmon populations on the Rivers Frome in Dorset and the Oir and Scorff in Brittany. Aligning and interrogating long-term environmental and salmon population data sets from both organisations. Generating management advice for mullet and sea lamprey using the facilities on the Frome, Oir and Scorff. These objectives will enable the three rivers to collect data in a similar way so that the data collected is compatible and can be analysed together, thus providing a better understanding of the drivers behind changes in our populations of migratory fish. River flow Figure 1 shows mean monthly discharge data (in cubic metres per second (cumecs)) for 213 together with average (1966-212) percentile (%ile), 2%ile (Q1), 7%ile (Q3) and 9%ile discharge data. Values represent the percent time that discharge has historically been below the stated value (ie. for the %ile, values have only dropped below this level for % of the time and 9%ile, flow have been below this value for 9% of the time (since 1966)). These data are collated and calculated from Environment Agency records. Following on from the extremely wet 212, the river discharge started the year at very high levels (at or below the 9%ile). It then steadily dropped over the rest of the year reaching a yearly minimum in September when it was below the %ile. October and November flows were lower than average, but in December levels rose rapidly to just above the 7%ile (Q3). Figure 11 shows that overall the mean annual discharge data for the Frome was above average. We are working with French scientists on the MorFish project.. References Beaumont W R C, Mills C A & Williams G (1986). The use of a microcomputer as an aid to identifying objects passing through a resistivity fish counter. Aquaculture & Fisheries Management 17, 213 226. Beaumont W R C, Pinder A C, Scott L & Ibbotson A T (27). A history of the River Frome salmon monitoring facility and new insights into the ecology of Atlantic salmon. Proceedings of the Institute of Fisheries Management 37th Annual Study Course. Minehead pp179-194. Riley W D, Ibbotson A T & Beaumont W R C (29). Adult returns from Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr autumn migrants. Fisheries Management & Ecology 16: 7-76. 213 SALMON RESEARCH REPORT 1
MONTH Month Feb-13 Mar-13 Apr-13 May-13 Jun-13 Jul-13 Aug-13 Sep-13 Oct-13 Nov-13 Dec-13 Jan-14 Total Corrected Gross U/S 3 4 22 4 13 9 2 8 2 48 314 419 Gross D/S 1 2 3 1 27 3 2 8 1 2 3 76 76 Nett U/S 3 1 21 4 76 6 19 28 244 343 Feb/213 Mar/213 Apr/213 May/213 Jun/213 Jul/213 Aug/213 Sep/213 Oct/213 Nov/213 Dec/213 Jan/214 No. Salmon / day 2 1 1 - -1-1 Discharge Gross number of salmon: R. Frome East Stoke 213 6 2 4 2-2 -4-2 Figure 6 East Stoke Salmon Counter Data 213 2
4 3 349 3373 Nett salmon numbers Estimated Nett No. Nett No. Minimum No. Average 1973-199 = 19 Average 1991-1998 = 187 Average 1999-2 = 679 3 2839 318 2 2 22 22 211 23 1 1741 1612 119 1172 147 1312 179 1193 131 117 121 143 1 787 97 996 819 817 163 144 18 994 833 77 73 74 621 629 6 72 62 44 2 343 Figure 7 Annual numbers of salmon ascending the East Stoke weir
February Time of day of fish movement (Gross counts) August -2-4 -6 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 4 3 2-1 1-2 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 March September 1.. 1 -. -1. -1 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 1. 1. -. -1-1. 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 April October 3 2-1 1-2 -3-4 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 8 6 4 2-2 -4 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 May November 4 3 2-1 1-2 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 6 4 3 2 1-1 -2 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 June December 12 1 8 6 4-2 2-4 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 1 8 6 4-2 2-4 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 July January 3 2 1-1 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 -.2 -.4 -.6 -.8-1.2-1 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 13 14 1 16 17 18 19 2 21 22 23 Figure 8 Time of day of movement (Gross upstream and downstream count data)
1 Observed Salmon Lengths 213: Upstream migrating fish > cm only MARCH N=6 N= 46 4 8 62 66 7 74 78 82 86 9 94 98 12 16 11 1 APRIL N= 46 4 8 62 66 7 74 78 82 86 9 94 98 12 16 11 1 MAY N=1 46 4 8 62 66 7 74 78 82 86 9 94 98 12 16 11 1 1 JUNE 46 4 8 62 66 7 74 78 82 86 9 94 98 12 16 11 N=4 2 1 1 JULY 46 4 8 62 66 7 74 78 82 86 9 94 98 12 16 11 N=77 1. 1. AUGUST 46 4 8 62 66 7 74 78 82 86 9 94 98 12 16 11 N= 6 3 1 SEPTEMBER N= 1-1 46 4 8 62 66 7 74 78 82 86 9 94 98 12 16 11 1 OCTOBER N =19 1 46 4 8 62 66 7 74 78 82 86 9 94 98 12 16 11 1 1 NOVEMBER 46 4 8 62 66 7 74 78 82 86 9 94 98 12 16 11 114 118 122 126 13 134 138 N=3 DECEMBER N = 34 1 JANUARY N = 46 4 8 62 66 7 74 78 82 86 9 94 98 12 16 11 3 2 1 TOTAL N=189 46 4 8 62 66 7 74 78 82 86 9 94 98 12 16 11 114 118 122 126 13 134 138 Figure 9 Length (cm) of upstream migrating fish each month
Discharge (cumecs) Q1 Q3 %ile 9%ile 213 Mean Discharge 213 2 2 1 1 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 1 11 12 Month Figure 1 Monthly mean discharge and long-term percentile data (Jan-Dec data)
1966 1968 197 1972 1974 1976 1978 198 1982 1984 1986 1988 199 1992 1994 1996 1998 2 22 24 26 28 21 212 Cumecs MEAN 2 year average long term average 1. 9. 8. 7. 6.. 4. 3. 2. 1.. Year Figure 11 River Frome long-term annual discharge
1/3/213 2/3/213 3/3/213 4/3/213 /3/213 6/3/213 7/3/213 8/3/213 9/3/213 1/3/213 11/3/213 12/3/213 13/3/213 14/3/213 1/3/213 16/3/213 17/3/213 18/3/213 19/3/213 2/3/213 21/3/213 22/3/213 23/3/213 24/3/213 2/3/213 26/3/213 27/3/213 28/3/213 No Salmon / Hr Discharge (cumecs) February Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2 2 No Salmon / Hr Discharge (cumecs) 1 1 1/2/213 2/2/213 3/2/213 4/2/213 /2/213 6/2/213 7/2/213 8/2/213 9/2/213 1/2/213 11/2/213 12/2/213 13/2/213 14/2/213 1/2/213 16/2/213 17/2/213 18/2/213 19/2/213 2/2/213 21/2/213 22/2/213 23/2/213 24/2/213 2/2/213 26/2/213 27/2/213 28/2/213 March Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2. 2. 1. 1... Appendix I Hourly data
1//213 2//213 3//213 4//213 //213 6//213 7//213 8//213 9//213 1//213 11//213 12//213 13//213 14//213 1//213 16//213 17//213 18//213 19//213 2//213 21//213 22//213 23//213 24//213 2//213 26//213 27//213 28//213 29//213 3//213 31//213 Discharge (cumecser) No Salmon / Hr April Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2 2 No Salmon / Hr Discharge (cumecs) 1 1 1/4/213 2/4/213 3/4/213 4/4/213 /4/213 6/4/213 7/4/213 8/4/213 9/4/213 1/4/213 11/4/213 12/4/213 13/4/213 14/4/213 1/4/213 16/4/213 17/4/213 18/4/213 19/4/213 2/4/213 21/4/213 22/4/213 23/4/213 24/4/213 2/4/213 26/4/213 27/4/213 28/4/213 29/4/213 3/4/213 May Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2. 2. 1. 1... Appendix I Hourly data
June Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2. 2. No Salmon / Hr Discharge (cumecs) 1. 1... 1/6/213 2/6/213 3/6/213 4/6/213 /6/213 6/6/213 7/6/213 8/6/213 9/6/213 1/6/213 11/6/213 12/6/213 13/6/213 14/6/213 1/6/213 16/6/213 17/6/213 18/6/213 19/6/213 2/6/213 21/6/213 22/6/213 23/6/213 24/6/213 2/6/213 26/6/213 27/6/213 28/6/213 29/6/213 3/6/213 July Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2 2 No Salmon / Hr Discharge (cumecs) 1 1 1/7/213 2/7/213 3/7/213 4/7/213 /7/213 6/7/213 7/7/213 8/7/213 9/7/213 1/7/213 11/7/213 12/7/213 13/7/213 14/7/213 1/7/213 16/7/213 17/7/213 18/7/213 19/7/213 2/7/213 21/7/213 22/7/213 23/7/213 24/7/213 2/7/213 26/7/213 27/7/213 28/7/213 29/7/213 3/7/213 31/7/213 Appendix I Hourly data
August Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2 2 No Salmon / Hr Discharge (cumecs) 1 1 1/8/213 2/8/213 3/8/213 4/8/213 /8/213 6/8/213 7/8/213 8/8/213 9/8/213 1/8/213 11/8/213 12/8/213 13/8/213 14/8/213 1/8/213 16/8/213 17/8/213 18/8/213 19/8/213 2/8/213 21/8/213 22/8/213 23/8/213 24/8/213 2/8/213 26/8/213 27/8/213 28/8/213 29/8/213 3/8/213 31/8/213 September Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2. 2. No Salmon / Hr Discharge (cumecs) 1. 1... 1/9/213 2/9/213 3/9/213 4/9/213 /9/213 6/9/213 7/9/213 8/9/213 9/9/213 1/9/213 11/9/213 12/9/213 13/9/213 14/9/213 1/9/213 16/9/213 17/9/213 18/9/213 19/9/213 2/9/213 21/9/213 22/9/213 23/9/213 24/9/213 2/9/213 26/9/213 27/9/213 28/9/213 29/9/213 3/9/213 Appendix I Hourly data
October Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2 2 No Salmon / Hr Discharge (cumecs) 1 1 1/1/213 2/1/213 3/1/213 4/1/213 /1/213 6/1/213 7/1/213 8/1/213 9/1/213 1/1/213 11/1/213 12/1/213 13/1/213 14/1/213 1/1/213 16/1/213 17/1/213 18/1/213 19/1/213 2/1/213 21/1/213 22/1/213 23/1/213 24/1/213 2/1/213 26/1/213 27/1/213 28/1/213 29/1/213 3/1/213 31/1/213 November Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2 2 No Salmon / Hr Discharge (cumecs) 1 1 1/11/213 2/11/213 3/11/213 4/11/213 /11/213 6/11/213 7/11/213 8/11/213 9/11/213 1/11/213 11/11/213 12/11/213 13/11/213 14/11/213 1/11/213 16/11/213 17/11/213 18/11/213 19/11/213 2/11/213 21/11/213 22/11/213 23/11/213 24/11/213 2/11/213 26/11/213 27/11/213 28/11/213 29/11/213 3/11/213 Appendix I Hourly data
December Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2 No Salmon / Hr 2 1 1 Discharge (cumecs) 1/12/213 2/12/213 3/12/213 4/12/213 /12/213 6/12/213 7/12/213 8/12/213 9/12/213 1/12/213 11/12/213 12/12/213 13/12/213 14/12/213 1/12/213 16/12/213 17/12/213 18/12/213 19/12/213 2/12/213 21/12/213 22/12/213 23/12/213 24/12/213 2/12/213 26/12/213 27/12/213 28/12/213 29/12/213 3/12/213 31/12/213 January Total Discharge U/S Salmon 2. 2. No Salmon / Hr Discharge (cumecs) 1. 1... 1/1/214 2/1/214 3/1/214 4/1/214 /1/214 6/1/214 7/1/214 8/1/214 9/1/214 1/1/214 11/1/214 12/1/214 13/1/214 14/1/214 1/1/214 16/1/214 17/1/214 18/1/214 19/1/214 2/1/214 21/1/214 22/1/214 23/1/214 24/1/214 2/1/214 26/1/214 27/1/214 28/1/214 29/1/214 3/1/214 31/1/214 Appendix I Hourly data
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust For over 7 years our scientists have been researching why species like the grey partridge, corn bunting and black grouse have declined. We are continually developing practical measures to reverse these declines. Our aim is simple a thriving countryside rich in game and other wildlife. We are an independent charity reliant on voluntary donations and the support of people who care about the survival of our natural heritage. Our science is funded by our members. Be the first to know about our new research and call 142 611 to join us today. Salmon & Trout Research Centre, East Stoke, Wareham, Dorset, BH2 6BB Tel: 1929 41894 Email: wbeaumont@gwct.org.uk www.gwct.org.uk Editing, design and layout: Louise Shervington Printed on FSC accredited, chlorine-free paper from sustainable forests Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, April 214. (Formerly The Game Conservancy Trust.) Registered Charity No. 111223. No reproduction without permission. All rights reserved.