Posted on February 01, 2022
There is a consultation underway from Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority regarding the net fishing byelaws. The byelaw manages fishing with nets in the Southern IFC District through the introduction of Net Prohibition Areas, Net Restriction Areas and Net Permit Areas.
The proposals concern the use of monofilament nets in Southampton Water and Christchurch Harbour - both important areas for sea trout and salmon.
The consultation closes on 4 February.
Posted on January 13, 2022
Tees Rivers Trust is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Commercial Development Officer who can develop the Tees Angling Passport scheme by working with local businesses and angling clubs. This post is part of the Fish For Tees programme that has been funded by the National Lottery Green Recovery Challenge Fund. This large project will run until 31st March 2023 and the scope of works includes: marine restoration, intertidal restoration, development of an angling passport and riparian habitat improvements.
The role is part-time (20 hours per week) based in the North East of England and has a competitive salary.
For further information regarding this role, please contact Judy Power, Project Manager, via: Email: judy@teesriverstrust.org. Telephone: 07881 271047
Posted on January 10, 2022
At 7.45pm on Thursday 10 February 2022, Icknield Community College, there will be a special extended version of the award winning film 'The Chalgrove Brook' shown along with a Q&A session with some of the people and organisations featured in the film.
The film tells the story of our local brook, why it is so special - ecologically, culturally, and historically - the threats it is facing, and the work that is being done to protect and restore it.
More information on the film is at www.thechalgrovebrook.uk.
Posted on December 21, 2021
Salmon have been spotted spawning on the River Ecclesborne, a tributary of the Derbyshire Derwent. WTT Conservation Officer Tim Jacklin describes the river at this point as 'about 15ft wide, in a concrete-walled urban canyon and uniformly wellie-depth and around 140 miles from the sea'. The salmon were spotted just downstream of Snake Line weir - a barrier that is in Tim's sights for removal in 2022.
Posted on December 03, 2021
Thank you very much to Sage, The Peacock at Rowsley, Martin Jacobs, George & Ann Eaton and Dick Hawkes for donating the prizes and to all those who bought tickets - we raised a record £9600!The winners are:
1st prize - ticket no. 25282nd prize - ticket no. 783rd prize - ticket no. 81364th prize - ticket no. 47915th prize - ticket no. 8634
We are contacting the lucky winners.
Posted on November 17, 2021
Guy Mawle has written a report on the state of the River Usk in Wales. This river is a Special Area of Conservation, subject to the highest levels of protection, and yet this detailed report shows that
'the ecology of the River Usk is degraded and deteriorating. If it is to be restored, or even resilient, there will have to be a sea change in strategy, resources, regulation and management.......‘Business as usual’ means further deterioration due to climate change, poor agricultural practice, and inadequate sewage treatment.'
The state of the Usk is likely to be reflected in many other rivers in the UK.
Posted on November 11, 2021
Defra are consulting on their proposed approach to beaver reintroduction and management in England. The consultation is seeking views on:
The consultation closes on 17 November
Following a great deal of reading, discussion and visits to beaver sites in the UK and the support of WTT staff, trustees and an excellent group of external advisors we have now submitted our response.
Posted on November 10, 2021
Nick Lawrence, WTT Conservation Officer for the south, carried out three days of practical training for 14 volunteer river keepers from the headwaters of the Itchen and Test in October. The training involved a variety of soft engineering techniques using locally won woody material to deflect flows and scour out fresh gravel, narrow the channel and create cover for trout. This was both a training exercise and a mini project to improve the habitat for trout and other wildlife on the Upper Test in Hampshire. In all, 16 woody ‘structures’ were put on place by the volunteers – enough to keep everyone busy, learn a variety of techniques and make a real difference to the quality of the habitat in the river. This is connected to a larger project that will be delivered next year.
The owner of the beat was very pleased and said he planned to continue the good work and adopt the same methods for managing the river as did the other trainees on the day, who also requested WTT advisory visits.
The day was funded by the National Lottery under the Watercress and Winterbournes project, which is a five-year Landscape Partnership Scheme that is protecting, enhancing, and celebrating seven local chalk streams. The scheme is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and brings together 16 partners, including Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
Posted on November 09, 2021
Congratulations are due to two newly-accredited Trout in the Town chapters - Friends of Tawd Valley and Calder Chantry Bridge.
First of all, we welcome a brand new group coming together to secure a better future for the ecology in their local section of the River Calder around a 14th-Century Chapel, giving its name to the historic Chantry Bridge. Following an Advisory Visit and as a testament to the group's existing efforts to control invasive plant species, create better habitat and keep watch over a large outfall discharging the the river, the group has been awarded their TinTT First Contact Certification.
Posted on October 21, 2021
Yesterday the House of Commons rejected some key amendments to the Environment Bill made by the House of Lords.
One of the amendments rejected was a legal duty on water companies to reduce sewage damage to rivers. Some of the water company CEO's gave evidence to the Parliamentary Enquiry on Water Quality in Rivers on 13 October. The rejection of the amendment to the Environment Bill is hugely disappointing given the amount of public interest in this topic, with campaigning, media coverage, petitions and (apparent) support from the Government and Defra for example, in July .Minister Rebecca Pow said:
'Water companies have environmental responsibilities and they must realise them. They have a legal duty to avoid pollution to our rivers and other waterways.
Posted on October 03, 2021
The perfect Christmas stocking filler!
In the Spring 2021 newsletter, we asked members to write some ‘very short stories’ about their wildlife experiences whilst fishing. The response was tremendous, and we have now published them in a ‘little book’ along with lots of bite sized facts about wildlife and trout.
We hope we will capture a small part of the ‘Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing’ effect, which has captured a nation’s hearts with the warmth of the two men’s friendship. ‘Not Really Fishing - a Little Book of Riverside Moments’ similarly aims to show that there is more to fishing than catching fish.
Posted on October 03, 2021
Order while stocks last! We have limited quantities of new WTT branded items including caps (a lovely sludgey green) and Chilly’s drinks bottles for hot and cold drinks. Plus enamel pin badges, enamel mugs, car stickers and tea towels. Available from our website shop.
Posted on September 28, 2021
The Angling Trust and Salmon & Trout Conservation (S&TC) have delivered a major report – ‘Time to Fix The Broken Water Sector’ – to Government on the management and regulation of the failing water and sewerage sector.
The report takes the form of a 'shadow' strategic policy statement (SPS) and has been sent to Environment Secretary George Eustice as a formal response to the Government’s own consultation. It delivers a stark message from the environmental groups and sets out why the Government’s forthcoming SPS for water must be a clear and unambiguous instruction to OFWAT to compel and enable water companies to repair sewerage systems and invest in adequate resources for water supply.
Posted on September 28, 2021
The ‘Woodlands for Water’ project aims to create 3,150 hectares of trees in six river catchment areas from Devon to Cumbria by March 2025.
Farmers and landowners will be able to apply for funding through the ‘England Woodland Creation Offer’ grant which provides greater financial incentives for landowners and farmers to plant and manage trees, including along rivers and watercourses.
The project will be carried out by the ‘Riverscapes’ Partnership, comprising of the Rivers Trust, National Trust, Woodland Trust and Beaver Trust.
Posted on September 24, 2021
The Rivers Trust have today launched a report called The State of Our Rivers.
The web-based report brings together key data about why only 14% of our rivers are in 'good ecological status', and identifies the big problems and big solutions.
The launch of the report is accompanied by a video Zoom call to discuss it's key messages. These are the participants:
