Couple of inches on the upper river from high in the catchment but otherwise todays forecast rain seems the only hope of improvement in the short term.
LATEST Upper river risen about 18"with Ithon and Irfon also starting to rise a little.
Wyesham A 7.1/2lb fish to Alan Williams
Upper Bigswier. 7lb to Nathan Jubb Silver stoat.
Two fish this morning from Ingeston to John Hickman from Gilberts on a Cascade. 10 and 12 pounds. Ingeston now on 85 for the season.
LATEST Upper river risen about 18"with Ithon and Irfon also starting to rise a little.
Wyesham A 7.1/2lb fish to Alan Williams
Upper Bigswier. 7lb to Nathan Jubb Silver stoat.
Two fish this morning from Ingeston to John Hickman from Gilberts on a Cascade. 10 and 12 pounds. Ingeston now on 85 for the season.
One fish yesterday from Goodrich. Grilse to Oliver Burch.
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SEE BELOW -SERIOUS CONCERNS RE LACK OF FRY FOLLOWING ELECTRO FISHING SURVEYS ON USK, TYWI AND CLWYD/ Will try to upload the briefing note from NRW
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SEE BELOW -SERIOUS CONCERNS RE LACK OF FRY FOLLOWING ELECTRO FISHING SURVEYS ON USK, TYWI AND CLWYD/ Will try to upload the briefing note from NRW
Fubject: Salmon Fry Numbers
Dear All,
I am emailing you as members of the Usk Local Fisheries Group to
give you advanced warning about a press release we will be issuing early next
week.
Our 2016 juvenile fish monitoring surveys are beginning to reveal
some potentially worrying results, with unprecedentedly low numbers of salmon
fry being found on some of our rivers, most notably the Usk, Tywi and Clwyd.
I attach a briefing note which summarises the situation.
It is still too early to tell whether this is an all Wales (or
wider) phenomenon, or to conclude what the precise cause(s) may be. We will be
looking at the data as it comes in and our experts will be liaising with
colleagues in CEFAS and the Environment Agency.
In the meantime, I am asking that you pass the message on to your
anglers to take special care to protect this year’s run of salmon.
Regards and thanks,
Holly
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SEE MONITORING RESULTS BELOW. UNPRECEDENTED DECLINE. THIS LOOKS SERIOUS.
Annual fisheries monitoring programme reveals unprecedented reduction in salmon fry abundance across Wales
Background
Each year NRW carries out a programme of fisheries monitoring to record the distribution and abundance of fish – notably juvenile salmon and trout – in many of our rivers. The data are used to assess stock performance and status and, over the period since monitoring commenced in 1986, long-term trends in fish densities. This monitoring therefore has an important role to play in the sustainable management of our natural resources as it helps us to understand, protect and manage our fish stocks.
The fish population surveys predominately use electric fishing procedures in which fish are temporarily stunned and caught – a process which is harmless to the fish. We record the numbers of fish caught, the species and their individual lengths. This data is essential in classifying rivers and water bodies under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
This years’ results
This year our initial fisheries surveys on the rivers, Clwyd, Usk and Tywi have demonstrated a very concerning and unprecedented decline in the abundance of salmon fry in sites where they have always been present:
In the Tywi catchment our survey has shown salmon fry to be absent from 27 of the 31 sites monitored (they were present in 28 of these sites during the last survey).
On the Usk, our survey showed salmon fry to be absent in 8 of the 13 sites where they are usually present and typically in good numbers. There were no fry at all at another 9 sites surveyed for eel.
On the Clwyd 5 sites were fished and although these have always had good numbers of fry, none were found this year.
Surveys on other rivers, including the Wye, Tawe and Glaslyn have found normal numbers of fry.
www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk Page 2 of 3
Our experienced fish survey staff report that these findings are unprecedented over the period of 30 years since fisheries monitoring commenced.
What is the current position?
At this stage it is important that we complete the survey programme to build a picture of the status of fish populations across Wales. Whist this is underway we are consulting with the Environment Agency on the position in England and with Welsh Government, and we are also discussing the results and their potential cause and implications, with Cefas (fisheries advisors to the UK Government). We are examining river flow and temperature data and considering other factors that might be implicated.
We also assess salmon stocks each year by comparing estimated egg deposition with catchment targets. We note that, although adult salmon stocks in 21 of our 23 principal salmon rivers are currently assessed as ‘At Risk’ (including the Clwyd and Tywi) or ‘Probably at Risk’ (including the Usk) of failing to meet their spawning targets, estimated egg depositions in 2015 were broadly unexceptional.
There is also some evidence, notably for the Clwyd, that trout fry populations are also much lower than in recent years.
What are the possible reasons?
It is presently too early to be clear what has caused the severe lack of fry in the three rivers highlighted here. We have considered a possible failure of fish to disperse to spawning tributaries, possibly due to flow, and the potential for disease or pollution to be the causative factor, however it is far too early be certain. However we also note that December 2015 was the hottest December on record and consequently we are assessing water temperature records.
www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk Page 3 of 3
What can fishermen do?
Whilst we complete our monitoring programme and further investigate the reasons for the collapse in fry numbers, it is important that all those involved with fisheries do what they can to help maximise the number of fish spawn this autumn/winter.
Now, and in subsequent years, it is more important than ever that anglers return all their fish to maximise the numbers that can spawn, and that the fishing methods used ensure that released fish have the best chance of survival by considering:
De-barbing the hooks so that fish can be released more easily and quickly
Not removing the fish from the water whilst unhooking. This is one of the key ways to improve survival. Keeping a fish in the air for 30-60 seconds literally halves their chance of survival.
Not using treble hooks - especially flying C type lures
Not using bait.
Conclusion
These results are unprecedented and appear to be evident in some, but not all, rivers across Wales.
We will complete our monitoring programme, whilst we continue to investigate the causes and seek a remedy.
In the meantime it is crucial as many salmon as possible spawn this year. We are appealing to anglers to put all the salmon they catch back, and to try to influence others to do the same. There simply aren’t enough fish spawning to sustain stocks.
footnote:
Catch and Release guidelines can be found on the Wye and Usk Foundation web site. http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/catchandrelease.php
http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/files/C&R_2013.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEE MONITORING RESULTS BELOW. UNPRECEDENTED DECLINE. THIS LOOKS SERIOUS.
Annual fisheries monitoring programme reveals unprecedented reduction in salmon fry abundance across Wales
Background
Each year NRW carries out a programme of fisheries monitoring to record the distribution and abundance of fish – notably juvenile salmon and trout – in many of our rivers. The data are used to assess stock performance and status and, over the period since monitoring commenced in 1986, long-term trends in fish densities. This monitoring therefore has an important role to play in the sustainable management of our natural resources as it helps us to understand, protect and manage our fish stocks.
The fish population surveys predominately use electric fishing procedures in which fish are temporarily stunned and caught – a process which is harmless to the fish. We record the numbers of fish caught, the species and their individual lengths. This data is essential in classifying rivers and water bodies under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
This years’ results
This year our initial fisheries surveys on the rivers, Clwyd, Usk and Tywi have demonstrated a very concerning and unprecedented decline in the abundance of salmon fry in sites where they have always been present:
In the Tywi catchment our survey has shown salmon fry to be absent from 27 of the 31 sites monitored (they were present in 28 of these sites during the last survey).
On the Usk, our survey showed salmon fry to be absent in 8 of the 13 sites where they are usually present and typically in good numbers. There were no fry at all at another 9 sites surveyed for eel.
On the Clwyd 5 sites were fished and although these have always had good numbers of fry, none were found this year.
Surveys on other rivers, including the Wye, Tawe and Glaslyn have found normal numbers of fry.
www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk Page 2 of 3
Our experienced fish survey staff report that these findings are unprecedented over the period of 30 years since fisheries monitoring commenced.
What is the current position?
At this stage it is important that we complete the survey programme to build a picture of the status of fish populations across Wales. Whist this is underway we are consulting with the Environment Agency on the position in England and with Welsh Government, and we are also discussing the results and their potential cause and implications, with Cefas (fisheries advisors to the UK Government). We are examining river flow and temperature data and considering other factors that might be implicated.
We also assess salmon stocks each year by comparing estimated egg deposition with catchment targets. We note that, although adult salmon stocks in 21 of our 23 principal salmon rivers are currently assessed as ‘At Risk’ (including the Clwyd and Tywi) or ‘Probably at Risk’ (including the Usk) of failing to meet their spawning targets, estimated egg depositions in 2015 were broadly unexceptional.
There is also some evidence, notably for the Clwyd, that trout fry populations are also much lower than in recent years.
What are the possible reasons?
It is presently too early to be clear what has caused the severe lack of fry in the three rivers highlighted here. We have considered a possible failure of fish to disperse to spawning tributaries, possibly due to flow, and the potential for disease or pollution to be the causative factor, however it is far too early be certain. However we also note that December 2015 was the hottest December on record and consequently we are assessing water temperature records.
www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk Page 3 of 3
What can fishermen do?
Whilst we complete our monitoring programme and further investigate the reasons for the collapse in fry numbers, it is important that all those involved with fisheries do what they can to help maximise the number of fish spawn this autumn/winter.
Now, and in subsequent years, it is more important than ever that anglers return all their fish to maximise the numbers that can spawn, and that the fishing methods used ensure that released fish have the best chance of survival by considering:
De-barbing the hooks so that fish can be released more easily and quickly
Not removing the fish from the water whilst unhooking. This is one of the key ways to improve survival. Keeping a fish in the air for 30-60 seconds literally halves their chance of survival.
Not using treble hooks - especially flying C type lures
Not using bait.
Conclusion
These results are unprecedented and appear to be evident in some, but not all, rivers across Wales.
We will complete our monitoring programme, whilst we continue to investigate the causes and seek a remedy.
In the meantime it is crucial as many salmon as possible spawn this year. We are appealing to anglers to put all the salmon they catch back, and to try to influence others to do the same. There simply aren’t enough fish spawning to sustain stocks.
footnote:
Catch and Release guidelines can be found on the Wye and Usk Foundation web site. http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/catchandrelease.php
http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/files/C&R_2013.pdf
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORE FROM ALEXANDRA MORTON
Hello
Tomorrow the Musgamagw
Dzawada'enuxw will be arriving at the Parliament Buildings in Victoria at 1pm,
get there earlier if you want to witness their arrival.
On Monday they will be in Vancouver at the Art Gallery at 1
pm.
Having had the honour to travel
with their traditional leaders for the past few weeks, I am convinced they will
remove 1/3 of the BC salmon farming industry from the coast of British
Columbia! This is how many salmon farms are in their territory - against
there wishes, put there by Canada and BC.
They are putting everything on
the line and they welcome, need and deserve your support. If you can't be
there in person please consider going to their website and helping them cover
the costs of continuing this effort into tomorrow and beyond. http://cleansingourwaters.com
This effort serves everyone and the whales, bears, forests, today and into the future.
This effort serves everyone and the whales, bears, forests, today and into the future.
This fight is so important and
so immense "being there in spirit" is not helpful. Even $20 is
helpful. This is not a big organization - this is a remote tribe deep in the
Kingcome Valley.
Thank you to everyone who leans
into this with us, you will be amazed at how the herring and wild salmon will
rebound when salmon farms are no longer making a mess of the coastal ecosystem
of BC.
alex
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