A report on the strategic fisheries stock assessment survey of the minor catchments in South West Cumbria 1996 with particular reference to salmonids

This is the report on the strategic fisheries stock assessment survey of the minor catchments in South West Cumbria 1996 with particular reference to salmonids, produced by North West Water in 1994. The 1996 Minor Catchment survey indicates variations in salmonid production within these catchments. Survey results indicate that production may be reaching its limit in certain areas whilst others are underachieving and others are unsuitable for salmonid production. Trout production within the catchments is higher and more widespread than that of salmon. Water quality levels vary considerably between catchments and intra-annually within individual catchments. The need for selective habitat surveys, with a view to habitat improvement schemes (H.I.S) is discussed. This report formed a basis for subsequent reports, thus, allowing data comparisons and analysis of production level fluctuations. It was the most extensive assessment of these catchments to date, taking into account comparisons with the new National Database on salmonid production in England and Wales.

A report on the strategic fisheries stock assessment survey of the River Winster 1995 together with a coarse fish survey in 1994 and reference to the 1995 drought

This is the report on the strategic fisheries stock assessment survey of the River Winster 1995 together with a coarse fish survey in 1994 and reference to the 1995 drought, produced by the Environment Agency North West in 1996. Salmonid production within the Winster catchment was dominated by trout although good densities of salmon juveniles were found on some main river sites. Despite suffering drought conditions for much of 1995, only salmon fry production appeared to have been affected. Coarse fish populations once found in the lower reaches of the Winster appear to have declined to very low levels with no fish sampled. This may be partly due to broken tidal gates allowing saline intrusion. It seems that the lower river was suited to the development of a recreational coarse fishery, now that the gates have been repaired. This report completes the strategic stock assessment surveys planned for the period 1992-1995. It represents the last major catchment that was surveyed to determine the current status of fisheries in the South and South West Cumbria areas.

Kent estuary survey 8th July 1980

This is the Kent estuary survey 8th July 1980 produced by the North West Water Authority in 1980. This survey was carried out on the Kent Estuary on the 8th July, 1980 during the period 3h hours before to 1.5 hours after low water. The chemical water quality in the vicinity of Arnside was found, in general, to be good. The E. coli counts were found to be at or below the E E C mandatory value for bathing waters. Downstream of the Arnside outfall the E coli counts were generally above the E E C mandatory value, the counts getting higher at and after low water. B O D values also increased at low water though ammonia and phosphate (except for 1 sample) concentrations were low. The total coliform counts both at Arnside and below the outfall were always above the E E C mandatory level (except for 2 samples).

Kent estuary survey 18th August 1981

This is the Kent estuary survey 18th July 1981 produced by the North West Water Authority in 1981. The report focuses on a tidal cycle survey carried out on the Kent estuary on the 18th August, 1981. The chemical water quality at Arnside Pier and at New Barns was, on the whole, acceptable. However, samples taken downstream of the outfall at low water for total coliforms and E. coli were all above the EEC mandatory level whilst those for faecal streptococci were all above the guideline value. This document shows chemical and bacteriological data analysed at Kent estuary such chloride, dissolved oxygen, BOD, ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, total coliforms, E. coli and Faecal streptococci.

Report of 1996 survey of Trout Beck with particular reference to spawning gravel quality and invertebrates as a food source for salmonids

This is the Report of 1996 survey of Trout Beck with particular reference to spawning gravel quality and invertebrates as a food source for salmonids produced by the Environment Agency North West. Whilst the main River Derwent is quite a high profile salmon fishery, Trout Beck is not a significant fishery in its own right, but serves to maintain the genetic integrity of the wild populations of trout and salmon in the catchment by providing a unique habitat. This survey addressed the invertebrate food availability, and additionally looked at the substrate to try to determine whether the bed type might actually be unsuitable for spawning, especially in view of the previously mentioned silt inputs.

Report on fisheries invertebrate survey of the Groove Beck,Thornsgill Beck,Troutbeck system

This is the Report on fisheries invertebrate survey of the Groove Beck, Thornsgill Beck and Troutbeck system produced by the Environment Agency North West in 1997. In 1996 the National Rivers Authority (NRA) report on the 1992 strategic stock assessment for the Upper Derwent catchment Jane Atkins recommended that should subsequent electrofishing show continued low densities, a survey of the invertebrate fauna should be undertaken to assess the food availability for salmonids, in order that lack of food could be ruled out as a contributory factor in their poor breeding success. Additionally the survey looked at the substrate to try to determine whether the bed type might actually be unsuitable for spawning, especially in view of the previously mentioned silt inputs.

Biological survey: River Teign and tributaries with references to the discharge of ball clay wastes

This is the Biological survey of River Teign and tributaries with references to the discharge of ball clay wastes, document produced by South West Water Authority in 1973. This report focuses on on-site assessment of the benthic macro-invertebrates of the lower River Teign, River Bovey, Ugbrooke Stream and Blatchford Brook was undertaken on 19th and 22nd August 1977 to assess the effects of discharges from ball clay mining premises. Inspection of aquatic fauna in the field is of necessity, less extensive than laboratory identification of sorted samples, so that the resulting data underestimates the water quality. This is more pronounced in the Chandler Score than in the Trent Biotic Index which does not take account of species abundance. Chandler should thus be interpreted by the trends described rather than by absolute values calculated.

Fisheries survey of the River Otter 1978

This is the Fisheries survey of the River Otter report produced by South West Water Authority in 1979. This report focuses on the trout fishery in the River Otter and the possible effects of abstraction and/or pollution. A survey was carried out to describe the fish stocks. Trout and eels were the dominant species. The population structure of trout was peculiar, there being relatively few juveniles. Growth was good and there were numerous trout of take able size in the river at the end of the fishing season. Variations in the parameters measured are explained and nothing can be attributed to abstraction or pollution.

Ashburn (Dart catchment) fisheries survey 1978

This is the Ashburn (Dart catchment) fisheries survey 1978 report produced by South West Water Authority in 1978. This report focuses on an exploratory survey to determine the population and distribution of all fish species and in particular salmonid species of the Ashburn stream. This survey is primarily intended for future reference on completion of the proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme of the Ashburn where it passes through the centre of Ashburton. Three sections were electro fished using D.C. Current Sections were chosen as easily accessible and through their relation in position to the intended scheme.

River Lemon (Teign catchment) fisheries survey

This is the River Lemon (Teign catchment) fisheries survey report produced by South West Water Authority in 1979. This report aims to determine the penetration of Salmon into the River Lemon System and to a lesser degree estimate the population of resident salmonids. Five sections were surveyed being easily accessible and fishable by electro fishing methods.

River Avon (including Glazebrook) fisheries survey 1978

This is the River Avon (including Glazebrook) fisheries survey 1978 report produced by South West Water Authority in 1978. This report aims to determine the penetration of Salmon into the River Avon system and to a lesser degree estimate the population of resident salmonids and other indigenous species. Six sections were electro fished at accessible points as detailed below. All fish were identified and measured. Each section was fished through three times to take the majority of the resident species. Small specimens of salmonid fry, eels and lamprey were common in almost all River Avon sections with the exception of Shipley bridge and Avon Dam but due to the mesh size of the standard dip nets used, many slipped through making accurate number estimation impossible.

River Bovey (main Teign tributary) fisheries survey 1978

This is the River Bovey (main Teign tributary) fisheries survey 1978 report produced by South West Water Authority in 1978. The aim of this report is to confirm or disprove the presence of alien coarse fish species thought present in the Bovey system. A chosen site was electro fished using D.C. methods wading upstream. All fish taken were measured and identified. Since it was not possible to distinguish between the young parr stages of migratory and non migratory trout, all parr taken have been included under the heading of Brown trout whereas in fact some of these parr may become migratory later in their life cycle.

Biological survey of the River Teign and tributaries, with reference to the effect of ball clay discharges

This is the Biological survey of the River Teign and tributaries, with reference to the effect of ball clay discharges report produced by South West Water Authority in 1979. A survey of the macroinvertebrate riffle fauna in the Ball Clay mining area of the Bovey Basin, following a period of low rainfall, indicated that the River Bovey and the River Teign between Chudleigh and Teign Bridge, Newton Abbot were of good quality. Further downstream, the R. Teign and the lower reaches of the Ugbrooke Stream were identified as being of doubtful quality with the discharge from ECC Broadway continuing to give cause for concern.

Fisheries survey of the River Taw 1977

This is the Fisheries survey of the River Taw 1977 report produced by South West Water Authority in 1978. The upper reaches of the River Taw were severely polluted in October 1975 and there was widespread fish mortality. A survey was carried out to assess the recovery of salmonid stocks in the affected areas. Salmon showed a rapid recovery and trout have also recovered well. Both species have been assisted by widespread stocking. Several other species were present. Salmonid and total fish biomass was high. Further stocking of salmon is not recommended and it is also suggested that stocking with trout should be discontinued.