Posted on November 08, 2012
The European Anglers Alliance in collaboration with the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association have released a new video to inform people about the impacts of small hydro schemes.
Click here to see the video.
Posted on November 08, 2012
The study, titled 'Impact of parasites on salmon recruitment in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean' used groups of tagged fish, 1 group treated with parasiticides and another group without to investigate the effects of parasites on survival.
The results provide experimental evidence that parasites, even in a large marine ecosystem, can have large impacts on fish recruitment, fisheries and conservation.
As the crustaceans were probably acquired during early marine migration in areas that host large aquaculture populations of domesticated salmon, which elevate local abundances of parasites; there is strong reason to believe that cage salmon aquaculture is affecting the mortality of wild salmon populations. The authors concluded that parasites may account for between 18 to 55% of adult salmon in the Northeast Atlantic.
Posted on October 25, 2012
On Tuesday 23 October, the WTT ran a 'Habitat Masterclass' to train local volunteers in the art of chalkstream river restoration on the River Chess. The day involved improving a stretch of overwide and shallow river with very little habitat for adult trout. A wide range of partners attended from the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust to the Chiltern Chalkstreams project. Click the link below for the full story:
Posted on October 25, 2012
The WTT featured prominently in this Octobers EA South East Fisheries & biodiversity newsletter.
Featured snippets are EA fish surveys on the WTT/GWCT habitat improvements on the Candover brook, WTT enhancement on the upper Stour and the WTT's recent edition of the survival guide. For further information please see the following link:
Posted on October 25, 2012
The Enviroment agency has published it's Regulatory position statement on eel passage. The paper sets out the EA's powers under the Eels regulations to achieve eel passage targets. The EA can do this by compelling responsible persons to ensure eel passage at obstructions & ensure that water intakes are screened to protect eels. The full paper can be seen bly clicking the link below:
Posted on October 24, 2012
Closed containment aquaculture could prove less harmful to migratory salmonids that the cage based aquaculture that is practiced in places such as the West coast of Scotland. This could have the potential to help sea trout stocks recover.
For more information on the AST's visit, see the following link:
Posted on October 11, 2012
Over 100 guests attended a Wild Trout Trust evening at the Savile Club in Mayfair to present the annual awards for the best trout habitat conservation projects. The evening was introduced by WTT Director, Shaun Leonard, with the awards presented by Richard Banbury of Orvis, who generously sponsor the Conservation Awards.
The Conservation Awards recognise and encourage excellence in the management and conservation of wild trout habitat, celebrating the efforts, skills and ingenuity of projects carried out both by professionals and by grass roots voluntary organisations.
The winners of the 2012 Orvis Wild Trout Trust Conservation Awards are :
Posted on October 05, 2012
The shrimp Dikerogammarus haemobaphes is closely related to the 'killer shrimp' found in Grafham water. It has been found on the RIver Severn at Tewkesbury and Bevere near Worcester as well as two canals in Worcestershire.
Shortly after the discovery was reported to the EA, populations were discovered on the Stafforshire and Worcestershire canal, the sites are spread over a distance of 38km.
The shrimps is known to be invasive in mainland Europe and the EA and Canal & Rivers Trust are urging all water users to help slow the spread of this invasive species by helping to publicize the 'Check, Clean, Dry' campaign (see www.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandry.)
Posted on October 03, 2012
A number of animal species predate wild trout - mammals (e.g. otter, mink), birds (e.g. cormorants, sawbill ducks) and other fish (e.g. pike, larger trout). Predation is just one of a complex of factors impacting on wild trout populations; for many populations the effects of unsympathetic land use, poor in-river habitat, low water quality and water quantity and poor river management regimes will be of greater significance.
WTT recognises that predation can be problematical for fish populations and for fishery interests. Since the 1970’s, there has been an increase in the inland over-wintering population of cormorants and an increase in the geographical range of goosanders, though there is evidence in 2012 that cormorant numbers have stabilised or even slightly decreased.
Posted on September 21, 2012
The latest edition of the Wild Trout Trust’s habitat and fishery management guide is now available from our shop, price £10.00. Click here to buy your copy.
Posted on September 18, 2012
Two Rivers Trusts are offering job opportunities:
There's a job on the Wandle in London - click here for further information
and another post with the South East Wales Trust - click here for further information
Posted on September 12, 2012
The October edition of Fly Fishing and Fly Tying (on sale now) contains an article by Peter Lapsley with the title:'Catching them Young : How classrooms are being used to spread the word about life in our rivers'The article includes a description of Mayfly in the Classroom and how this simple and low cost teaching aid can bring ecology to life in the classroom.
Ben Tyser, latest recruit to the WTT, is working on expanding the number of schools involved and can provide training for teachers and ready made packs for raising mayflies.
If your local school is interested in taking part, please contact him on btyser@wildtrout.org.
Posted on August 24, 2012
The Leat is important an important fishery and has the potential to be fantastic habitat for wildlife, both in the river and on the banks. A project is being developed & planned by the WTT to carry out some improvements to the habitat to help the Leat achieve its potential as a place for wildlife and for people to enjoy.
This project uses tried and tested techniques and closely involves both Devon Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency. The project is also supported by Exeter City Council
Posted on August 14, 2012
The WTT has appointed Ben Tyser to the post of Research & Engagement Officer. Ben will be responsible for developing the education programme for the WTT, including Mayfly in the Classroom, and collating and disseminating the science based research that guides the WTT's work. Ben is an ecology post graduate from the university of East Anglia with fisheries management experience in Africa & the UK where he previously worked for the River Forth Fisheries Trust on invasive species catchment management.
Posted on July 25, 2012
The Wild Trout Trust has for many years supported the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project (LCSP), so we are delighted to see that project has recently won the Bowland Award.
Presenting the award, National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB) Chairman, Cllr Peter Stevens said “The LCSP is a very worthy winner of the Bowland Award and it is fitting that this year’s recipient is a project that has contributed an outstanding environmental contribution to the well-being of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB actively promoting and delivering landscape-scale conservation through partnership working. I congratulate them on their achievements”.
Click here for the Press Release.
Ruth Snelson, LCSP Project Officer, receives the Bowland Award
