Newsletter July 2007
Number 35
President : The Earl of Normanton
Vice Presidents: Orri Vigfusson and Hugh Miles
Registered Charity No: 1051068
Chairman's Report
Dear members and friends,
I begin this brief letter on the eve of the new coarse fishing season. Like the beginning of the salmon season full of anticipation, expectation but not, hopefully, disappointment About 65 salmon to the rod, as I write, including some magnificent fish. We also hear reports of one or two monsters going through the counter. No; not seals or otters; salmon! This small demonstration of the survival of the three sea winter gene pool offers hope for the future. Unfortunately, the back up of 2SW fish have not arrived which is worrying. The run has all but dried up. The nets are picking up an occasional fish along with a few beautiful sea trout but not a ‘run’.Ireland is already concerned at the lack of grilse, not withstanding the banning of drift netting, and some Scottish rivers are bereft of fish. Our colleagues in Ireland are also worried by a huge increase in licences for gill nets for coastal Pollack fishing where salmon are a bye catch, concerned that these may be drift nets by another name.
I spent an enjoyable afternoon at Mudeford earlier this week, watching the operation. Just one salmon and one small sea trout caught on that tide. The salmon handled with all the care we expect of our anglers and safely stored for release after netting has stopped.
The only Poole Harbour netsman has signed up for the new Net Limitation Order. This net catches River Frome and River Piddle fish and the netsman has signed a voluntary agreement for salmon catch and release. The Frome rods have also undertaken a 100% catch and release protocol whilst the Piddle fish have all been released for some years. Anglers, owners and fishery managers are to be congratulated for their tremendous efforts over the past years to achieve this ultimate conservation of their salmon.
Do not ever doubt the value of your contribution to the recovery of our fish when you slip that salmon back, and to our fishing, remembering the dangerous precedent Ireland has set with the EU by totally closing all of their rivers that are not reaching the conservation limits. The Avon is a long way from there yet, achieving just 21% of this minimalist measure, and doggedly remaining the sixth worst river in England and Wales in this respect. In the important context of catch and release and fish welfare; Graham Lightfoot, our EA. Regional Fisheries Technical Specialist, has located some important research on survival relating to salmon’s exposure to air.
CHART
This is an area where we can all contribute to our salmon’s survival.
This year, so far, is proving to be as busy as any in my experience of the Trust; not just for me but for all of your committee. The official agencies can only undertake less with less cash available. If we are to increase partnership working we and the other organisations, with whom we continue positive and progressive discussion, must share in the decision making as well and reins will need to be relaxed. As a colleague at the Avon Salmon Group told the EA. in this context ‘you need to be braver and loosen up’.
We need to constantly restate that of the Environment Agency’s spend of about £22 million the vast majority of that is from anglers licence fees. The very valuable support by way of core funding that we receive from Tesco Stores continues as does the incresingly popular ‘Swap a Salmon’ scheme. May I remind all beneficiaries of that scheme that I must have their completed returns in my possession by the end of November at the latest. Because I shall be ‘off watch’ throughout October and November I will not be able to chase up absentees. Colleagues will be producing the November newsletter.
Brian Marshall
TESCO - WSRT Environmental Award Scheme.
We are pleased to announce that we are in the final planning stages of a scheme to support environmental improvement projects in the Wessex area, targeting schools and young people in particular, and generously funded by Tesco Stores Ltd.Existing projects, or those in the planning stage themselves are all likely to be eligible, and we are hoping to judge the entries before our next AGM in March 2008.
Further details will be announced soon , so please keep an eye on the website and further Newsletters, and if members know of any projects that schools or youth groups are involved with at present, alert them to the possibility of further funding from WSRT.
A proposed school pond or wildlife area, a stream clean-up, or water saving project are all likely candidates, but all proposals and applications, preferably with a broadly aquatic focus will be judged by a team of experts early next year, so spread the word and watch this space!Never heard of it? You will soon. Tesco are generously providing a £5,000 prize. Details of the scheme are being worked out as I write.
Pete Reading
John Beckett Awarded High Sherrif’s Certificate.
WSRT founder member and long term committee member John Beckett has been rewarded for his years of work protecting the Harnham water meadows since he moved to Salisbury in the late 1990’s. Since then he has been a member of the Friends of the Harnham Meadows and was appointed Bailiff in 2001. The presentation of the certificate, by the High Sheriff of Wiltshire; Peter Pleydell Bouverie took place at the friend’s Annual General Meeting in June. We offer our appreciation and congratulations to John who described himself as surprised, honoured and rather humbled at the presentation.
Another Just Reward
The Goldman Environmental Prize is the world's largest prize honouring grassroots environmentalists. Founded in 1990 by Richard and Rhoda Goldman, the Goldman Environmental Prize annually awards US$125,000 to environmental heroes from each of the world's six inhabited continental regions.
Our Vice President Orri Vigfusson, Founder and Chairman of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund has won the 2007 regional prize for the Islands and Island Nations.
The official statement reads;
"Orri Vigfússon, 64, Iceland: Vigfússon brokered huge international fishing rights buyouts with governments and corporations in the North Atlantic, effectively stopping destructive commercial salmon fishing in the region."
Full coverage can be seen at:
http://www.goldmanprize.org/recipients/current
We received this e mail from Orri in early June
"HOT NEWS:
This afternoon NASF and ASF signed a new Salmon Agreement with the Greenlanders.
This is a seven-year moratorium agreement closing all commercial salmon fisheries in
Greenland’s territorial waters, decommissioning of nets, as well as an agreement to reduce by-catch of salmon, minimise subsistence fisheries and limit supply to hospitals and old people’s homes.
Compensation for the moratoria will go to projects to redirect commercial netsmen to alternative sustainable fisheries in Greenland’s inshore fishing industry and provide employment in coastal communities, aimed at promoting sustainable use of marine resources, benefit marine conservation, all aimed at maintaining a zero commercial quota at NASCO."
(I believe the immense importance of the Arctic feeding ground moratoria is often forgotten in the UK as is the need to pay for I every year. The Governments of Iceland, Greenland and the Faeroes retain their right to recommence salmon fishing. Ed.
Finally
The Arthur Oglesby Award has, this year, been won by our Chairman; Brian Marshall.
This award has been created in memory of Arthur Oglesby and is presented to the angler who is deemed to have displayed the qualities and values espoused by Arthur.
"Brian is in his fifteenth year as Chairman of Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust and has worked for the wellbeing of the River Hampshire Avon for over forty years."
The presentation will take place at the CLA Game Fair at Harewood House, near Leeds on the 27th of July.
Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust: salmon egg-box project.
The Avon is affectionately seen as a beautiful natural river deserving a high conservation status. Underlying the glossy exterior are subtle changes that have affected the Avon salmon in many ways. When man-made changes operate over decades rather than centuries scope for genetic adaptation is overtaken and our skills in ‘managing the environment’ are put to a severe test. We may all see the Avon and its inhabitants from different perspectives but the health of its salmon population remains a useful yardstick telling us how well, or how badly, things are going. Currently our salmon population is failing to meet conservation objectives.
Following on from the good news reported in the February Newsletter, around 90% of our salmon eggs hatched successfully, absorbed their yolk sacs and appeared in the egg-box overspill chamber as ‘swim-up fry’. To give them the best chance of developing natural feeding behaviour they were counted and released daily. The period of ‘swimming-up’ out of the gravel was quite prolonged, starting in mid-March with numbers rising then falling dramatically in early April. It was only after the final fry were released that it became clear overall survival rate had been very high. This was the first question answered: our Avon salmon are capable of re-populating the river. Though it would be unwise to accept that statement on the basis of eggs from one pair of salmon!
The next stage in August or September is to monitor the survivors of the 2,200 released fry in their Avon headwater. The release site has good parr habitat, but natural predation will take its toll and by late summer we can anticipate that less than 10% will survive and many of these will have dispersed downstream. If the survey reveals a population density of more than 3 salmon parr per 100 square metres of river it will be better than the average yield from natural spawners recorded by Environment Agency parr monitoring throughout the Avon catchment over the last two decades. Why is natural survival so low? Like many fish, each hen salmon lays several thousand eggs. Evolutionary pressures drive a hard compromise: at one extreme producing a few very large eggs would avoid the early predation by invertebrates and small fish, but with a higher risk of total failure during the incubation period. In contrast, ten thousand tiny eggs would also reduce the proportion lost to predators but each fry would be smaller and have a very small yolk sac in reserve. The balance is struck, not by any conscious decision by the salmon, but by natural selection over hundreds of generations. This results in around 500 eggs per kg of hen salmon being the best compromise, which probably applies to salmon in all rivers.
Over the last two months our released salmon fry have experienced a fall in water level and average current speed. Water weeds and bank side growth have increased to partly compensate for the reduction in prime areas for young parr. The salmon parr will be competing with young trout for territories to a small extent, though they prefer to use slightly faster and more shallow areas than trout of the same age. The older trout will be eating some of the salmon parr and others will fall prey to herons and kingfishers. The fittest (and fastest!) will outgrow the attentions of many predators though perhaps become a worthwhile meal for a sizable resident pike. Monthly mapping of the river bed is showing the changes experienced by the salmon parr and will be used to help interpret the results from fish monitoring later this summer.
In the broader: context rapid environmental changes referred to at the start of this article have reduced the Avon salmon population to the point where it is consistently failing to achieve its conservation target each year. Monitoring its status accurately is a very important exercise and automatic fish counters (after many years of dormancy) are now providing that accurate information down at Christchurch. Perhaps, more critically, an appreciation is growing that fish counter monitoring and fish surveys are the starting points rather than the final delivery. Fine-tuning our collective management of the river requires both greater investment and clear plans for taking effective measures that lead to recovery of the Avon salmon (hopefully in our life time?).
As mentioned in the February Newsletter: WSRT are extremely grateful for help with the (often daily) task of flushing the egg-box and fry release provided by Adrian Simmons (Wilton Fly Fishing Club), also by Martin de Reteurto (Wessex Chalk Streams Project/Wiltshire Wildlife Trust). Other boxes without eggs were kindly monitored for site suitability by Rockbourne Trout Fishery and David Hunt (The Piscatorial Society). Wessex Water have agreed to increase their fish monitoring surveys adjacent to our fry release site, this is a very significant in-kind contribution to the project. Bournemouth University are involved in parr habitat monitoring and assessment of the fish survey results. In May the Avon Salmon Group provisionally approved expanding the egg-box trial in 2008 to accommodate eggs from three pairs of broodfish. Details will be finalised in consultation with the Environment Agency, fisheries and riparian owners during August.
Jon Bass (WSRT Egg-box Project Manager)
Trout in Schools update
The Trout in Schools project continues to flourish and grow, and it is likely that by this time next year we will have more than ten systems operating in the area.
There will be a system in Salisbury Library, and at the Langford Study Center next year, with support in terms of funding from the Living River Project, which was recently launched in Salisbury.
Natural England, Hampshire and Wiltshire Wildlife Trusts, EA, Wessex Water and local councils are all in support of the Living River Project, and WSRT is pleased to be involved with this Heritage Lottery Funded project.
More local schools are also showing interest, and it is expected that the rest of the systems, currently funded largely by donations from TESCO Stores Ltd and other donors, will also run for much longer periods in schools than in the past.
This extension to their impact has been brought about by the use of the tanks to house invertebrates, small coarse fish and river weeds, over a new gravel bed.
The cooler, pump and aerators are now being used to create mini-rivers in the classroom, and I have been busy collecting caddis, mayfly and damsel nymphs, shrimps galore, water scorpions and stickleback, bullhead and coarse fry for the tanks. The snails are also doing well, along with a nice few fronds of fontinalis, ranunculus strands and some duckweed.
It is necessary to keep the fish and smaller inverts separate, as they tend to eat each other, but mostly they get on rather well.
Most kids are amazed when some of the creepy crawlies grow wings and fly off, however.
The conversion to a mini-river means that the tanks can now operate from January until July, and be used as teaching and study aids for the whole of that time.
The system at Ringwood was visited by the Education correspondent from The Independent newspaper in June, which resulted in a nice half page article on Page 17 of the issue of 9th June. The story was picked up by Radio Two the following Monday, and also the Bournemouth Echo ran a story in mid June.
Pete Reading: WSRT Education Officer
Goodbye to Phil Tibbett
Tuesday 3rd July dawned dramatically calm and bright following several weeks of grey skies and unseasonable rainfall .It was Kinclavin Church Tayside. Phil’s family and friends, which naturally included a sprinkling of Tay Ghillies, had gathered here for a service to say goodbye to yet another Character and stalwart of the Avon Valley, who several years ago with his delightful wife Olwen, pulled up his sticks for the migration from home in Southampton to a village in the Scottish Highlands, or as near the Highlands as makes little difference. Kiclaven, in that highly manicured county of Perthshire.
Being an Agricultural and sporting area of great renown Phil and Olwen immersed themselves into the community with little difficulty and Phil was soon relocated in his fishing from the Avon Valley to the Tay valley,and even walking in the steps of Miss Georgina Ballantine at Glendlevine, albeit with slightly less notable results. Very little less, in terms of pleasure and wonder in finding himself on this beat, of the Mighty Tay now part of his new home.
Phil was of the era which provided a varied and interesting life, taking him to Egypt whilst serving with the RAF at the time of the Suez Crises, returning to industry, and then possibly the most enjoyable part of his career, as River Keeper for Oliver Cutts one of the more interesting Gentlemen to grace the banks of the Avon Valley.
Phil was Keeper for him on the Hampshire Avon and the Test and took immense pride in the position and the opportunity that it afforded him in both supporting the ecology of those rivers, and making friends with many of the anglers that visited his water.
With the collapse of the Salmon population in the Avon valley Phil became one of the founding trustees of the WSRT and was never shy of delivering a scathing dissertation on the shortcomings of the various River authorities who were charged with a duty to protect, maintain and improve the Hampshire Avon.
Oliver Cutts, displaying great courage, no doubt supported by his Keeper, took the EA to law for dereliction of their duty. I think this was one of Phil’s finest hours. No matter the outcome one brave individual against the limitless resource of government bureaucracy, it was the standing up and being counted that mattered. Now, in these more enlightened times, with the WSRT, Riparian Owners, the EA, the WFA are taking the first delicate steps of working in unison, there is, if one would be optimistic, and we all need to be so, hope that the dream that Phil had, ,of seeing the river returned to something like its former glory may yet come to pass.
Phil made his own part of the Trusts fundraising effort, the Annual Avon Pike Match ,which is fished on the waters of many of the middle and lower Avon estates. Phil presided over this event with the air of a General marshalling his troops .The pike match attracted (and still does) anglers from far and wide ,with Phil closely monitoring the suitability of the holding arrangements, of the individual winner of the coveted Oliver Cutts Memorial Trophy (making sure they didn't sell it, should their personal fiscal arrangements become pressing!)
Phil, always outspoken, but with a warmth and charm brimming over with enthusiasm which will be missed by us all.
John Faith
Julian Mills 1926 - 2007
Julian Mills, youngest of three Mills brothers born at Bisterne on the Avon, died in his sleep on the 23rd April this year, aged nearly 81. He was a man who had many talents, but his greatest sporting love was fishing. He is sadly missed by many people - a man quick to make friends, a staunch ally in the worst of times, and totally intolerant of greed or selfishness. He packed a formidable array of interests and skills into his life, and was hugely energetic and fit right up until the last.
He grew up on the banks of the Avon and learnt much about fishing from his father, Sir John, himself a very keen fisherman whose lifetime average weight of salmon was 22.5 pounds! As a boy, he made great friends with the estate workers. It is typical of Julian that he took the trouble, years later, to interview one of his famous boyhood mentors, Percy Brown, the River Keeper. Julian recorded his reminiscences in writing. Out of the pages come back to the reader the long-forgotten call of the corncrake and the snort of the threshing engine, the sounds of his boyhood. From Percy Brown, he learnt to respect coarse fishing both as fine sport and a reliable indicator of the health of the river.
Julian caught his first salmon on the Avon at Bisterne on the 8th April 1939, aged 12, as the world prepared for war. For the record, it was landed by the Middle Fish Hut, on a prawn - a very fresh 22 pounder. He went on to catch 190 salmon during his life.
Having been a successful soldier in both Italy and later preparing for Korea, he became an advertising executive, then printer. Julian created printed materials, for amongst others, Holland and Holland.. In 1960 Julian worked with Malcolm Lyell, MD of Holland and Holland, producing the first brochure for their shooting school. He then moved to run Farlows, the fishing business, part of the same group.
Julian made Farlows independent, became the MD and took John Ashley Cooper, Dermot Wilson and Jamie Shaw as advisors. He found great joy working with such people, inventing new rods and flies. His friends amongst rod makers and fishermen were legendary...Pezon et Michel, Charles Ritz, and Lee Woolf, men who made split cane behave like no other person had done before. Lee Woolf was master of the ultra light tackle. There is a picture of a slightly proud Julian kneeling beside a group of 5 fish "marked JCS Mills with 3-8lbs salmon caught on a Lee Woolf 5’ 10½" rod weighing 1 and 5/8 of an ounce (46 grams).
When Farlows bought the Aberdeen rod maker Sharpe, Julian declined to move north. He left Farlows having built it up to a world-class business.
Thereafter, he moved into banking and ended up as main board Director of Hill Samuel. Many firms in Bristol, Bournemouth and Reading benefited from his wise counsel.
In his later years, after his brother Major John Mills suffered a stroke, Julian stepped in to help the family run the fishing at Bisterne. Invariably, he would have a wise word to say about events, give willing but modest advice from his vast experience, and was a great listener to the views of others. Locally, he was in frequent contact with Brian Marshall to keep up with events on his beloved Avon, and was thrilled when the Irish nets were closed.
Poignantly, his last email to the rods at Bisterne read in part: "I have not mentioned the discontinuance of the Irish netting as from 1st January, due to the splendid initiative of Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust in lodging a complaint to the EU, as no one knows what effect it will have on our South Coast rivers, and indeed how effective the ban will be on the netsmen themselves. Perhaps we shall have a better idea at the end of the season - but any diminution of sea netting can only be hugely welcome and potentially beneficial."
He did not live to see the better weight of fish returning to Bisterne this year, with several MSW specimens nudging 20 lbs. Julian is survived by his wife Di and daughter Fiona, who live near Tetbury, where he maintained in beautiful condition a beat on another Avon, the Bristol Avon, catching 8lb brown trout.
There are many who will be most grateful to him for his wise counsel, huge kindness and great friendship - not least myself.
Hallam Mills, nephew, Bisterne June 2007
New Fund Raising Salmon Rivers Book from NASF
The North Atlantic Salmon Fund is publishing a new book, "A Celebration of Salmon Rivers", which will depict in beautiful photographs and short descriptions over fifty of the world's finest salmon rivers. Included are rivers in Canada, Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, France and Spain, some of which are rarely seen in published photographs. The descriptions are written by acknowledged international sportsmen who know these rivers well. HRH the Prince of Wales has contributed an inspiring Foreword, NASF Founder and Chairman Orri Vigfusson has written the Introduction explaining the mission of NASF and the need to protect the few remaining Atlantic salmon and to preserve the wonderful rivers they inhabit and the book includes a handsome hand painted map of the North Atlantic by artist Christine Twitchen . It is a book all who love the sport of Atlantic salmon fishing and cherish the marvellous rivers they inhabit will want to have for their library.
All profits received by NASF from the sale of "A Celebration of Salmon Rivers" will be dedicated to its continuing efforts to protect the Atlantic salmon. The book will be "coffee table" size and have over 250 magnificent river images within its 240 pages. It is expected to be printed and ready for delivery on or about September 1, 2007. The book will sell for £35 plus shipping and handling and is being distributed in the UK and Ireland by Merlin Unwin Books. You can order the book now by calling Merlin Unwin at 0044 (O) 1584 877456 or by fax to 0044 (0) 1584 877457. Please indicate that you are purchasing the book as a "NASF Direct Sale". You will not be charged until the books are ready for shipment.
NASF is also offering a special "bibliophile" edition of the book with a bonded leather spine, cloth sides to match and a cloth slip case which will contain a special edition page in parchment numbered and signed by Orri Vigfusson and the principal photographer. Corporations and other organisations may also order books in quantity (50 or more copies) with their logo imprinted on the cover.
Low Flows, Abstraction and their effects on our Headwaters.
The Background.
The Environment Agency is currently conducting a major national review of those water abstraction licences which might affect Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) as categorised under European legislation. The SAC categorisation applies to major parts of the Hampshire Avon system. This review is generally referred to as the Review of Consents.
The largest abstractor in the Avon catchment is the public water supplier, Wessex Water plc. It is heavily dependent for its commercial success on the availability of aquifers on the southern flank of Salisbury Plain. The Environment Agency’s Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy document of 2005 (CAMS) categorised the whole of the Avon catchment as "Over-licensed" and two out of four of the Water Resources Management Units as "Over-abstracted", for ecological health. As part of the Review of Consents process, Wessex Water must demonstrate to the EA that it is not, as a result of its licensed activities, having a detrimental effect on the integrity of a site, or risk its licence being modified in such a way as to prevent that damage continuing. SSSI considerations are not specifically included in the assessment process, though where they are clearly of significance locally, or cumulatively across nearby sites, they would be noted.
Alternative sources have been available and have been utilised in the past, but we must assume that the use of these is to the Company’s disadvantage, compared with its chalk aquifer bore hole sources, not least because of the quality of the water these produce.
As part of the review process, Wessex Water have commissioned a two year study covering 2006/7 using external Consultants (APEM). This has been dubbed the "Low Flows" study, recognising as it does the critical importance of maintaining adequate flows in these SSSI and SAC rivers, especially in view of the more volatile weather patterns we can expect to see in future. The study has two parallel programmes of work, one attempting to measure and predict the impact on the rivers of abstraction at various levels, and the second seeking to identify, rank and cost alternative sources of supply, and/or mitigation measures, to avoid the risk of damage to the river system which present and planned abstraction might cause.
The first of these has two main components, a hydro-geological study using a computer model to predict the direct effect on flows in the relevant rivers of variations in abstraction volumes, and a study by multi-site sampling at intervals over the two years, of the macrophyte, invertebrate and fish populations of the rivers, to try to measure the actual effects of abstraction on these. In both components, it is understood that while the EA has approved the methodology, the findings will still require extensive consideration and careful interpretation.
There is no doubt that an adverse outcome from either part of this study could present a major difficulty for Wessex Water, who would be faced with the need to find alternative sources of water for its customers, and while financial compensation for any loss of licence capacity is said to be available, the exact source from which WW will recover this is not clear. Wiltshire Fisheries Association (WFA) and WSRT have both felt that the Review of Consents, and the Low Flows Study in particular, represents a unique opportunity to gain information on the effects of abstraction, which we have long felt has been a contributory factor to the general deterioration of the chalk stream habitats of the Avon system, and the SAC-designated ranunculus community in particular, which has been referred to as the "Chalk Stream Malaise". It is a fact that SAC-designated species (Atlantic Salmon and Bullhead) have died in headwaters in the Avon catchment, twice in the last decade, as a result of drying up of the watercourse during low flows, seemingly aggravated by abstraction. This alone leads to the belief that continuation of the licensing status quo is not acceptable.
Wessex Water and the Environment Agency are both aware that neither the Wiltshire Fishery Association (WFA) nor Wessex Salmon Rivers Trust (WSRT) confident that the relatively short study being undertaken will sufficiently resolve the acceptability or otherwise of this status quo. Until the report on the Low Flows Study is produced, we shall not know whether our concerns are well founded. They may point the way to a need for more work to be done to tease out the real effects on the river flows of current and planned abstraction. Also to follow up alternative water resources which would not affect so directly the fragile headwaters whose role as salmonid nurseries needs to be fully recognised, under the heading of "favourable condition2 required by European legislation.
The Current situation
Following a number of discussions between representatives of WFA and WSRT, agreement has been reached on the significance of this opportunity, and the need to work jointly, seeking appropriate professional help as necessary, to examine the findings of the two Low Flows Study investigations components. Agreement has also been reached on an initial cost sharing arrangement in order to get matters under way. A consultant hydrologist has been furnished with a copy of the Groundwater model, and has already made one report, leading to a second phase enquiry into the output of the model. Identification of a suitably qualified and experienced ecologist to advise on the findings of the ecological study is also on-going. Throughout this process we continue to receive the fullest co-operation from both Wessex Water and the Agency.
The way ahead.
Out of the recent series of meetings has arisen a recognition of the need for closer working on matters of mutual concern, and the interdependence of the various parts of the whole Avon catchment. The two organisations, plus others with overlapping objectives, are continuing to explore ways of working more closely in future, to protect and promote our common interests. The importance of safeguarding the vital headwaters to the whole catchment, in terms not only of the health and productivity of this heavily designated river basin, but also its leisure and tourism amenity value, cannot be overstated. With climate predictions indicating an increasing likelihood of drier summers, an even greater need to apply the precautionary principle, in long-term plans affecting water resources, is essential.
Richard Archer: Wiltshire Fisheries Association
WATER FOR SALE: A Personal Viewpoint.
At a time of uncertainty regarding future public water supply that headline will make the ears of any water company resources manager prick-up. Unfortunately should you be in the position of the vendor you would have to offer an extremely good deal to lure companies away from their existing supplies.
The product these private water companies sell us as consumers is virtually free at the point of source and much of that product has already been filtered by Nature in readiness for her own use which is a factor certainly not lost on the water companies. The ecology and assets of the valley that would subsequently have benefited and utilised this pure water are left out of the equation and out in the cold when the rights to sell this water are considered. EA water resources cover their own costs; the costs to others are left in a complicated muddle of legislation and demand.
Consideration, by the water companies, is given to the possible consequences and extensive work is directed toward meeting the ecological requirements of current conservation legislation. This work is funded by the water companies and has the remit of discovering the maximum quantity of water that can be abstracted with the minimum of attributable ecological damage. I say attributable because with the matrix of interacting influences on the ecology of our rivers it’s almost impossible to evaluate the importance of each individual element.
With that thought in mind much effort has gone into trying to establish just where the vital water to meet the demands of the PWS can be best abstracted with the minimum of environmental impact. I always thought that there were one or two established principles that were based on sound science and common sense. The first of which was that the lower down the catchment water was abstracted the less likelihood of significant detrimental impact on the environment. With that very sensible principle in mind you would have expected that the higher in the catchment an abstraction took place greater would be the environmental weighting charge. Not a bit of it - the pure life blood of the Avon is drawn from the chalk below the headwaters for exactly the same charge as that taken from the bottom of the river at Knapp mill.
A second established principle is that of "out of catchment supply" being less environmentally friendly than water that is returned to the river through the sewage treatment works and drains. To that end one would expect the abstractions that supply Bath, Dorchester, Poole, Fawley Oil Refinery, Bournemouth etc that water being totally lost to the river would incur enormous environmental charges. Not a bit of it - the water companies get charged the same if it supplies Salisbury or Swanage.
The existing formula for the abstraction charge effectively negates the banding mechanism. The formula for the annual charge is;
V x A x B x C x SUC when:
V = Annual licensed volume in Megalitres (thousands of cubic metres)
A = Source factor (The Avon is unsupported = 1.0)
B = Season factor (All year is 1.0, winter is 0.16 and summer is 1.6)
C = Loss factor (High is 1.0, Medium - which includes public water supply is which is 0.6, Low is 0.3 and Very low which includes fish farm through flow is 0.003. The SUC (Standard Unit Charge) varies from year to year but is 19.44 for 2007/8 for the South West (which includes Wessex).
Product volume x 1 x 1 x 0.6 x 19.44
That simply fails to differentiate between the variation in abstractions and the impact on the environment. In multiplying by factors of one or less the preceding factor is negated. Time for an overhaul me thinks to provide a transparent formula for each licence to reflect the value of the water to the river. There need to be clearly defined bands that reflect local implications; after all the Avon, as with every other river, is unique and shouldn’t be dumped in the national bucket for ease of administration.
The more one looks at this charging system and weighs it against the desperate concerns of those attempting to protect the environment and their assets the more ludicrous it seems. If one believes in the principle of the polluters pays and that the extremely laudable environmental legislation that emanates from the EU is to be afforded more than lip-service this situation is in urgent need of review. It is essential that environmental weighting reflects not only the known and attributable damage but the potential damage if the precautionary principle is to be ignored. The distance up the catchment from the estuary the abstraction is situated needs to be reflected. Even at the bottom of the river there are consequences such as the migration of salmonids into the river but those at the top should incur a many fold charge over the lower abstractions. Those that sell their water abroad "Out of Catchment" should incur a similar scale of weighting, abstraction charges should be related directly to the volume returned. Even those abstractions that return the water to the source river create by-pass reaches and variable percentage returns - this is in need of recognition. The only way a commercial concern will recognise this simple fact is if it impacts on their share dividends and profit margins. I know the water companies are going to invest sixteen billion over the next five years but it should be remembered they will be the greatest beneficiary of that investment.
Before everyone starts shrieking about water bills - society had better decide on its priorities, if you believe nature is there for you to exploit until exhausted you will be happy with the existing system. If on the other hand you believe, as I do, in a responsibility toward that which you exploit the increasing demand for water has implications for us that will impact on our pocket. I believe the average domestic water bill is in the order of three hundred and twelve pounds per annum, about six pounds a week, less than a pound a day. How does that compare with your food or transport bills? How do you think you would get on without it? Which one would you miss first? Ofwat, sorry "Consumer Council for Water" will jump to our defence, as consumers, wailing about unacceptable rises in water bills and I do not deny there will be a rise. I do not pretend there will not have to be increases, whether those increases are unacceptable is a different question, to just what extent needs much closer examination. What percentage of any increase must be passed on to the consumer and what percentage comes from the profits of the companies given such free access to the water destined for natures use? Before the water companies and Ofwat/CCW begin publishing their scare stories about the poor and the down at heal and the increase in unpaid bills etc. consider the implications of not taking action.
We risk locking ourselves into a supply strategy for the next twenty five years, right at a time when we are informed our climate is about to undergo significant change. Five years down the road it will be too late to admit to having miscalculated and got it wrong, we risk man made devastation of an already stressed riverine environment. If that scenario does arrive Nature will not get so much as an apology, it will be re-modelled and reviewed to ensure the last drop of product can be squeezed out - after all the wildlife will no longer need it.
John Levell
What Price Over Protection?
The cormorant debate has raged on for years and I doubt that what I have to say on the matter will bring anything new to the table. However, it doesn't hurt to remind ourselves of the damage inflicted by them on fisheries. We are, by now, all aware that a cormorant can consume between one and two pounds of fish per day and that the numbers of birds coming inland to feed and breed increase year on year by around 3%.
Along with the cormorant, other piscivorous bird species are lining up in the valley’s dinner queue. The goosander, merganser and little egret, are all present and in ever increasing numbers. While it is wonderful to have such a diversity of bird species, they all take their toll.
Predation on fish stocks not only affects our smaller fish species throughout most of their year classes, but must also have an impact on the immature of our larger coarse and game fish. Sooner or later something will have to give, and my fear is that it will impact on R.S.P.B. favourites like the kingfisher or heron, as it is they who are in direct conflict for prey in the same size/species bracket.
Of course, it is within our power and the law to do something about this, at least it is where cormorants are concerned, and a licence to cull is obtainable if "it can be proved that it is strictly for the purpose of preventing serious damage to a fishery". However, before a licence is issued, an applicant must go through the process of wading in the treacle that is, red tape. This is not without reason. I am suspicious that this mountain of bureaucracy exists to dissuade as many individuals/clubs as possible from even considering an application. It would appear that this has had the desired effect because, judging by the numbers that fill the skies above the valley, few of them are being issued.
I have, both in the past and more recently made inquiries to both Ringwood and District Angling Association and Christchurch Angling Club to ascertain what the take-up of these licences are within the clubs. I was surprised that when I first asked, around three years ago, the answer was a grand total of two; each club having only one each. Unsurprisingly the licence was issued for both club’s respective premier fishery, being the Throop fishery and the Royalty fishery. During a recent conversation with one club’s vermin control officer, he was at the time was making a count of Canada geese numbers, which, by the way, are classified as pests. It was revealed that that club no longer holds a single licence. I don't want to be accused of pointing a critical finger but merely aim to highlight the fact that if the bureaucracy is such that the two biggest clubs in the South have neither the time, the will nor the inclination to fill in the lengthy forms and provide the required proof and confirmation that the problem exists to Defra, who will then and what chance do our waters have?
Apathy, however, may not necessarily provide the rationale behind the lack of licence applications, although it does in most cases seem to be the case. Some fishery managers prefer to operate a shoot to scare policy and, although this is laudable, it is by and large ineffectual and only serves to hand the problem on to the next lake or beat for somebody else to deal with.
Club officials have told me that they do not feel that shooting these birds will provide an answer. However, they didn't offer alternative solutions either. That's all very well, if that's how they feel. They don't have to shoot them. That's one law that hasn't been passed, yet! They do, however, have a duty to their members to at least apply for the appropriate permissions. Not doing so could be seen as contemptuous. If every angling club throughout the country went out of its way to obtain a licence to cull on each of their waters where cormorant predation was a factor, Defra would be inundated with applications and this in turn would lead to change. Furthermore, fish stocks form a large part of a clubs or fisheries assets and therefore those assets should be protected for the members. Stocks have to be maintained. They say that a fool and his money are easily parted, but we anglers are a canny bunch and none of us are stupid enough to pay to fish empty lakes and rivers.
Another option would be to seek compensation from Defra for the stocks depleted by avian predation. Money talks, and if a government agency is forced to fend off compensation claims it must soon tire, and with tedium might come capitulation.
Please don't misunderstand me, I am not advocating the annihilation of an entire sub- species, just a better control on their numbers where their numbers are out of control. It is, after all, what conservation is all about.
Earlier this year there were rumblings in the press that consideration should be given to a reduction in the number of swans on the Avon. It's a ghastly thought, but no matter how distasteful the decision would have been, it would have been a decision taken out of necessity. We can't allow one species to flourish to the detriment of others and in order to preserve a healthy ecosystem, and stem the destruction inflicted on one of the rivers designated species, something would, and may still, need to be done. While the damage inflicted on the ranunculus was obvious, the destruction visible for all to see, it is far more difficult to prove that avian predation is the real problem that it is. We anglers know the truth, but tangible proof is difficult to procure.
The cormorant debate, like the cormorants themselves, will not go away until either the law is changed or the fish themselves are gone. Restocking, unless accompanied by habitat improvement and a rethinking on the number of cormorants that can be shot, may prove ineffectual, although this should not discourage us from trying. Look up cormorant in the dictionary and it is described as either a fish eating seabird or a marine diving bird. Is there a case for it to be classified as an invasive species? After all they are not native to our rivers. A non-native species becomes invasive when it causes a change to its adopted ecosystem, and cormorants, like signal crayfish and Japanese Knotweed, can surely be accused of that crime. Will it take the demise of the kingfisher before the new species we are all supposed to welcome are also seen as invasive?
Budgie Price.
(Much of this argument could equally apply to the exploding populations of seals. Ed.)
UK Fish Health Legislation & the Role of the Fish Health Inspectorate.
The health status of Britain’s freshwater fish stocks has been protected since the Fish Disease Act (FDA) was introduced in 1937 to control the spread of Furunculosis in Salmon. As a consequence of this, our fish health status has remained very high and the FDA has since been extended to other serious diseases, which have been added to the notifiable diseases list. These controls also prohibit the import of live salmonids (with exception of ova from approved sources) and apply strict controls on other fish species ensuring that under the European Fish Health regime, we maintain a disease status that is often much higher than that of our European neighbours.
This regime was implemented in 1992 with the adoption of a single European market. The single market effectively freed up trade between member states and included live fish. Its purpose was to prevent the spread of the most serious fish and shellfish diseases across Europe. This was based on Council Directive 91/67 which established rules on compulsory eradication for the most serious exotic diseases such as Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA). It introduced the concept of approved zones and farms for other serious diseases like Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) and Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS), for which there is no treatment of vaccination. Introduction of fish into these zones could only be made from a zone or country of equivalent or higher health status. The regime also provides national controls for certain other diseases (list III) such as Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC).
The Fish health Inspectorate (FHI) is dedicated to:
"maintaining and improving fish and shellfish health in England and Wales"
The Fish Health Inspectorate is part of Cefas, an executive agency of Defra and is Based in Weymouth Dorset. Its primary role is to act for DEFRA and NAWAD in undertaking statutory inspection duties resulting from the EU fish health regime and other national legislation in the area of fish and shellfish health. The FHI also licenses and monitors imports of fish and shellfish from other countries and has an effective enforcement program in place to prevent the illegal importation of these animals (such as large carp for angling purposes).
The FHI’s duties include:
- Monitoring for notifiable diseases or other serious diseases.
- Investigating suspected cases of notifiable disease and abnormal disease in farmed stocks and in the wild.
- The placing of statutory controls.
- Maintaining the fish farm register.
There are 215 trout and salmon farms, 149 coarse fish farms and 121 shellfish farms in England and Wales. This number changes frequently due to varying trends within the industry. (For instance the recent explosion in Carp Angling has led to an increase in the number of Carp farms on the register).
In order to maintain the GB approved zone status, the FHI is required to undertake an annual national health monitoring programme. This involves visits to all registered fish and shellfish farms to inspect stocks and to take samples for testing bi-annually or where there is an abnormal or unexplained mortality. This programme is required under EU legislation. Within the Inspectorate there are 11 field inspectors, 5 senior inspectors and 4 licensing and admin staff covering all fish health issues in England and Wales. Each field inspector is responsible for up to 3 areas of the country (for instance Devon, South West Wales and Northumbria). It is their responsibility to undertake all disease monitoring in those areas. During the site visits, field inspectors will inspect and assess the health of the stock on site, check that the farmer is keeping movement, mortality, and medicine records in strict compliance with statutory obligations, and offer help and advice where needed.
There are eight notifiable diseases of fish and six of shellfish, all of which fall into three categories. These are:
List I Diseases
Diseases that are exotic to the zone, which pose a serious economic threat to aquaculture and for which there is no treatment or vaccination. Immediate eradication is required in the even of an outbreak. Includes
- Infectious Salmon Anaemia (found in Scotland 1998)
List II Diseases
Diseases that are established in parts of the EU and pose a serious threat to aquaculture and for which there is no treatment of vaccination. The EU is zoned by water catchment areas into approved and non-approved zones and farms. Movements of fish into approved zones may only take place from areas of equivalent or higher health status. Eradication measures are in place to control these diseases in England and Wales.
Finfish: Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS) (1 outbreak in UK 2006)
Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHN)
Shellfish: Bonamiosis, Marteiliosis, Iridovirosis, Mikrocytosis, Haplosploridiosis, Perkinosis.
List III Diseases
Diseases which are a serious problem for some member states and for which no treatment or vaccination is possible. National programmes are established to contain or prevent the introduction of these diseases
- Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) - 3 outbreaks in 2005
- Gyrodactylosis (caused by Gyrodactylus salaris)
- Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD) - 7 outbreaks in 2006
- Furunculosis in Salmon
If you suspect the presence of any of the above diseases, you must notify us immediately.
Fish Farmers have a legal obligation to inform us if they suspect the presence of any notifiable diseases or are experiencing abnormal mortalities when a fish health inspector will visit the site as soon as possible (the same day if practicable). Samples are taken for analysis where necessary and if a notifiable disease is suspected we can impose temporary movement controls as a precaution. If a notifiable disease is confirmed, we will instigate a programme of contact chasing at all of the farms that have either supplied or been supplied by it in the previous 12 months.
These investigations enable us to continually identify and study new and emerging diseases, which may affect farmed or wild fish stocks. Any samples taken during routine monitoring or disease investigations are screened at the Weymouth Laboratory, which is designated as a national reference laboratory under the EU Fish Health Regime. The Lab is staffed by experts in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology and histopathology, using the latest techniques to assist in the identification of the cause of disease outbreaks and emerging diseases.
Importation into the GB approved Zone
The FHI has the responsibility to license and monitor imports of live fish and shellfish entering England and Wales from the EU and/or elsewhere, (In 2004 over 63 million fish/shellfish/eggs were imported into the UK along with over 40 million fish for the ornamental trade). The aim is to ensure compliance with controls governing imports, which are designed to protect the health status of British fish and shellfish stocks. Powers are exercised by routine monitoring and inspection of traffic into and through England and Wales, normally at points of destination of consignments but at any point in transit, where irregularities are suspected. Breaches of the controls are investigated and those found guilty of offences risk prosecution. Fish from non-approved zones and sites in the Community, and unlicensed fish from non-EU sources represent a significant risk of disease to indigenous fish.
Smuggled fish have previously been found to be suffering from Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC). It is a Defra priority to prevent this trade, which is damaging, not only in fish health terms but also in its potential environmental and ecological impact. Recently a consignment of nearly a ton of common and mirror carp was intercepted at Dover Docks. It is thought these fish were destined for English fisheries with potentially catastrophic results. The importer was fined nearly £10,000.
Jonathan Hulland: Senior Field Inspector
Bio-speak or.......
Amid much protest Natural England launched a project to introduce Sea Eagles to the Suffolk coast, already host to a number of protected species. NE justification goes like this;
"A sea eagle reintroduction project represents a major opportunity for Natural England to lead a high profile ‘flagship species’ project that will highlight the organisation at the forefront of a major biodiversity delivery initiative, delivering benefits to both people and nature."
"There is a small risk of conflict with both socio-economic and nature conservation interests, but these would be effectively managed by risk assessment and contingency planning, and will be greatly outweighed by the positive impacts of the project. A thoroughly planned and well executed public relations strategy will help to maximise the potential publicity and minimise adverse reactions."
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Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust, and the editor in particular, are grateful to all those who have contributed to this newsletter or provided information. Opinions expressed and/or statements made by individuals are not those of the committee of trustees collectively unless it is specifically indicated otherwise.