Just to let you know how the funds get spent
Firstly, I must give thanks all who have donated in one way or another to the Fund, and this includes many members who just add on an extra bit of cash to their subscriptions, not just major contributors to the fundraising events.
Without this income, we could not have the effect we certainly do have in research and conservation of barbel and barbel rivers.
A heartfelt thank you to you all, it is very much appreciated, not least, I hope by the barbel!
We raised over seven thousand pounds in all, with a tremendous result from both the online auction and the Avon Fundraiser in partnership with the Roach Club; take a look at Trevor and Budgies website, by the way!
AVON ROACH PROJECT
The first part of the report is an historic announcement in many ways, because we are involved in a major piece of research work that we are funding in partnership with Bournemouth University.
It will involve three main aspects; firstly, the development of the first archive of all barbel-related research work in the UK, which will pull together all current published work on barbel and barbel rivers, and the result will be a database of national importance.
Secondly, our current scale collection project will be extended, and the existing scale archive from the Hampshire Avon will be extended to as many other rivers as we can manage.
The EA are currently reading and analysing the scales, but the University has the expertise to continue with this and will contribute to a data set that is again unique, and of tremendous value to the pool of knowledge about barbel ages and growth rates.
Finally, the University will be carrying out some tank experiments to compare growth rates with temperature and food supply, to get a better picture of growth rates.
It is expected that the project will continue over time, but our contribution of four thousand pounds will ensure the first two years is funded.
More details in the Press and on the website in due course.
Teme at BransfordWe have planned a programme of works to make further small scale improvements to some of the thick willow trees by the Railway Bridge, and the coppicing of some dying or diseased alders which will be brought back to life. The cuttings from the willows will be used to further reinforce the bank, when planted at water level, and strategic planting of willows will produce the valuable low level cover that both provides cover for fish and prevents undue erosion.
There are many smaller willows that are to be felled, but will remain alive as in stream cover.
This work has been consented by the landowner, the EA, and Natural England, who have been so impressed with the work that the fishery is used by them to show trainees examples of “good practice”
The extra light that the pollarding of the larger willows allowed to reach the water has increased low level bankside growth, and will be increasing the productivity of the stretch.
The further work at Bransford this year was paid for by the Severn Rivers Trust ( from original BS funding) who are backing similar work elsewhere on the Teme, and also use Bransford as an example of “good practice"
Dorset Stour ProjectThe first stocking of small barbel, three years ago, and the most recent stocking has been a success, in that fish of the right sizes have been spotted and caught in small numbers close to the stocking points.
The bigger fish are now three of four pounds, and although they have been seen, none have been positively identified as stockies yet, but it is early days.
The recent turmoil in the EA, facing 30% staff cuts and 25% funding cuts, means that slow progress has been made on the habitat works, but we retain the committed funding and maintain contact with local clubs and fisheries officers.
Fry bays, trees dropped into the river and other repairs to the recovering Stour are all on the cards.
Arborfield on the LoddonBy the time you read this, the extra gravel that the Society is paying for to enhance this project should have gone into the river as part of the reinstatement project, and I am sure Ian Watson will deliver a detailed article in the next issue of Barbel Fisher.
St Patricks Stream, TwyfordWe have agreed to contribute a significant sum to the habitat improvement work suggested in the survey that we paid for on this distributary of the Thames, and would expect work to take place shortly.
The work will involve excavation of shallow fry bays, proven to be used by baby barbel as well as other species, and some gravel reinstatement.
The sort of work that can be carried out on our smaller rivers can be done relatively cheaply and can have tremendous benefits, and although the pruning of large old trees, and digging out of material can look rather drastic and unsightly at first, the eventual plus points far outweigh the apparent destruction!
Placing trees in the water deliberately, rather than relying on good luck to drop one in the right place, is a positive boon to a fishery, and avoids action by flood defence operatives more concerned with allowing water to flow away, and preventing erosion.
Scale surveyThe results of the scale readings on the samples we provided to the EA are in the process of being analysed, and a sample of fifty odd fish gave data that was extremely valuable, and showed that some fish are much older than we think.
The bigger fish were, as expected, over twenty years old, but some smaller fish of only six pounds were found to be as old as fifteen. They grow fast in the Hampshire Avon, but not all will reach double figures.
87% of the fish were over ten years old, but there was evidence of strong year classes that should provide a sustainable population for the future.
I would like to extend the survey next season to the Teme, Trent and Swale, so those of you that are interested need to contact me in order to receive training and advice on how to remove and send in the scales.
The removal of scales is of no harm to the fish, and is less than will occur naturally.
Similarly, all permit holders will be asked to send in catch returns using the standard form as supplied in this newsletter and permit, and available soon on the website. This information tells us how well our fisheries are doing, and provides crucial information on trends over time.
Spawning surveyWe will continue with this spring, and hope that all anglers, not just members, will contribute. The information received last year was welcomed by the EA on one stretch of the Cherwell, and helped with planning habitat improvements, but also alerts them to spawning areas and affords them some protection.
Pete Reading, Research and Conservation Chair
