River Wyre - a migratory salmonid river

This report has been prepared in response to a request from the National Rivers Authority. It produces a broad assessment of the River Wyre as a migratory salmonid river based on a site visit and the documentation provided, and looks at objectives of the Wyre salmon and sea trout restoration group. It also looks at ways for habitat improvement and recommends other possible means of fisheries management development for the River Wyre.

River Wyre salmon and sea trout spawning habitat restoration / creation project. Gravel enhancement schemes.

As part of an overall desire to maintain and improve the migratory salmonid population in the River Wyre, a project was commissioned to investigate remedial action which may improve and enhance spawning success and lead to an eventual improvement in the status of adult stocks. The report, titled "River Wyre Salmon and Sea Trout Spawning Habitat Restoration/Creation Project", concluded that usable spawning gravels appeared to be in short supply in the River Wyre catchment and may be the limiting factor influencing the returning adult stock, as juvenile nursery habitat was not found to be limiting. This report looks at gravel enhancement schemes to improve River Wyre salmon and sea trout spawning habitat restoration. It examines methods for gravel enhancement schemes: mechanical cleaning and construction of gravel addition structures. Includes sites figures of sites identified for enhancement.

River Wyre salmon action plan December 2003

In 1996 a Strategy for the Management of Salmon in England and Wales was launched by the National Rivers Authority setting out objectives for the management of Salmon fisheries. These objectives are to be met through local Salmon Action Plans which are to be produced for each of the 68 principal salmon rivers in England and Wales by December 2003. A consultation document was produced for the river Wyre and released publicly during October 2003. This document: • Determined an egg deposition figure of 1.27 million eggs which would allow maximum gain from the fisheries • Raised a number of issues which are though to limit existing salmon production. • Identified actions which may be undertaken by the Environment Agency and other bodies to improved stocks. The document looks at the issues in the consultation document and also highlights some important changes to historic egg deposition rates following further analysis of the data. Some of the major issues addressed in the plan are: • Severe low flows on specific tributaries • Reduced juvenile production caused by insufficient habitat. • Changes in flow regime resulting in the wash out of gravels and redds. • The impact of man made structures preventing access to suitable spawning areas, and preventing the downstream distribution of spawning gravels.

Electrofishing survey of the River Calder and its tributaries - April 1978.

An electrofishing survey was undertaken in the period April 24th - 28th as part of the detailed biological study of the Calder Catchment being carried out by this department in early 1978. The sites to be fished were selected to indicate broadly the fishing status of the major sections of the main river and its larger tributaries and by no means intended to describe the fishing status of the whole catchment in detail. The results on the distributions of fish species are discussed, in general, in relation to the major polluting influences on the catchment. The results of the second survey are given and discussed separately in Appendix I.

Environmental effects of drought and abstractions of River Ouse fisheries, summer 1997

This survey was the second year of a three year study to examine fish populations in relation to low flows, drought and abstraction in the River Ouse. To fully evaluate the possible effects on fisheries the study set out to encompass fish population surveys from fry to adult stock, analysis of angler catch data, reports from anglers and river reports from Environment Agency Fisheries staff.

River Wharfe fisheries monitoring report - summer 2001

This is a report on monitoring carried out in 2001 specifically in relation to effects of flows and abstractions on fisheries in the River Wharfe. The monitoring is a continuation of that started in relation to the Time Limited Abstraction Licences in 1996 and required by the new licences granted in 1999. It gives information regarding fish populations at a range of sites in the River Wharfe and also two tributary sites. It also gives recommendations for future investigations in relation to both Time Limited Licences and general broader issues.

River Ure fisheries monitoring report - summer 2001

Fish population studies in the River Ure have continued for their sixth successive year in order to examine and evaluate the effects of low flows and drought conditions particularly in relation to the Time Limited Licence abstraction at Kilgram Bridge, currently granted to Yorkshire Water Services. This monitoring report looks at the different fish populations and growth rates in the main river and tributaries, comparing the results to previous years. The report also looks at the general findings from angling, the medium term drought impacts, the abstraction impacts, and recommendations for investigations for 2002.

A study of salmonid egg and fry survival in the River Taff catchment

This report looks at previous findings that egg survival was related to the percentage of fine solids in the spawning gravels of the River Taff. Green salmonid eggs were planted out at 8 sites in the Taff catchment; and eyed salmonid eggs were planted out at 27 sites. Gravel cores were taken at 18 of these sites and an analysis of their composition was carried out, particular attention being given to the pecentage of particles less than 1mm. As well as its method, the report includes its own findings and recommendations, which includes other factors influencing egg survival such as the need for water quality improvements.

River Kent salmon action plan - consultation draft

In February 1996, the National Salmon Management Strategy was launched by the Environment Agency's predecessor the National Rivers Authority (NRA, 1996). The strategy concentrates on four main objectives for the management of salmon fisheries in England and Wales. These are primarily aimed at securing the well being of the stock, but in doing so will improve catches and the associated economic returns to the fisheries. The four main objectives are : (i) Optimise the number of salmon returning to home water fisheries, (ii) Maintain and improve fitness and diversity of salmon stocks. (Hi) Optimise the total economic value of surplus stocks, (iv) Ensure necessary costs are met by beneficiaries

Field validation of the 'Logie' fish counter at Forge weir on the River Lune, 1992

The stock assessment task group report (1991) mentions that fish counters could play a key role in providing data on the size of the adult stock, and in particular the migratory salmonid stock. This report assesses the performance of the 'logie' fish counter at Forge Weir on the River Lune. Using video surveillance, a total of 1137 hours time lapse and 15 hours real time were used for validation purposes. This report looks at materials and methods, counting accuracy, sizing ability and environmental conditions, performance across the electrode array and salmonid swimming speed.

Biological report - fish mortality, River Conder, 21.7.79

Following a large scale fish mortality caused by a considerable spillage of a pentachlbrophenol-based disinfectant from a mushroom farm, a biological survey of the river Conder was undertaken on 23.7.79. A spillage of this same make of disinfectant from this mushroom farm in February 1976 caused a similar large scale fish mortality. On that occasion, the pollution appeared to have little effect on the benthic invertebrates of the river Conder, with no dead organisms found, although the small beck which received the spillage was quite badly affected. This recent spillage of disinfectant involved a considerably greater volume (approximately 900 gallons) than the 1976 discharge and so this report looks at whether invertebrate fauna of the main river were affected on this occasion. Kick samples were taken at a number of sites in the river Conder from the confluence with the polluted beck to Conder Green. A control sample was also taken upstream of the confluence with the polluted beck. All samples were examined on site and live and dead invertebrates noted and identified as accurately as possible.

Egg survival [River Wyre].

The report looks at egg survival in the River Wyre with use of three different techniques, (burying eggs in Harris boxes, eggs recovered in freeze cores and excavating redds). The report provides a detailed method and the results for each of the three different techniques, and gives an overall discussion of the findings.

River Ribble sheep dip incident September 1997. Electric-fishing survey report

This report summarises the findings of a series of electric-fishing surveys carried out at four sites on the River Ribble from September 1997 to September 1998. The aims of these surveys were to assess the impact on juvenile salmonids of a pollution incident involving Synthetic Pyrethrin (SP) that occurred near High Birkwith I (SD 802 767) in September 1997.One of these sites was 2.65km upstream of the pollution whilst the remaining three were at varying distances downstream. Data was collected during surveys of the River Ribble in 1992, 97 and 98. The 1997 and 1998 surveys were carried out specifically to monitor for any possible effects of the SP discharge. Data are shown as grades derived from the National Fisheries Classification scheme (NFC). Results are given for the four salmonid life stages; 0+ trout, >0+ trout, 0+ salmon, >0+ salmon and also Total Salmonids.

Report on eight weeks at the Fisheries Department of the Lancashire River Authority [including a Leeds / Liverpool Canal survey]

This report looks at the interests of the Fisheries Department for the Lancashire River Board, focusing on the Liverpool and Leeds Canal Survey. It looks at finding parasites in fish from an electrofishing survey (roach and perch). This was to contribute towards the main survey with a possible view to suggesting whether or not the parasites were one reason for the poor fish population. Methods of finding parasites are given, and results of what parasites that were found in the fish are discussed.

An investigation into the effects of electric fishing equipment on salmon and sea trout within the area of the Lancashire River Board.

The report looks at experiments into electric fishing equipment and effects on salmon and trout within the Lancashire River Board. Experiments include obtaining information on voltage gradients, ascertaining what damage to fish of the larger size groups resulted from electric fishing, determining whether or not fractures could occur in coarse fish and brown trout,similar to those occurring in salmon and sea trout, and effects low temperatures have on electrofishing techniques.