Environment Agency - 2009 RFERAC Devon Fisheries Report

Environment Agency - 2009 RFERAC Devon Fisheries Report
Enforcement
There have been several seizures of illegal fishing
equipment on the Axe, Otter and Sid
catchments. These included a small stop net set in
a back water on the estuary at high tide to prevent
fish moving back into the main channel as the
water receded. It was aimed most probably at
mullet where the poachers’ intention was to spear
the fish with bow and arrow. A net was set across
the River Axe by poachers who were apprehended
with eight sea trout. A case file has been
completed and submitted to the legal team with a
prosecution being recommended.
Changes to live fish movement process
New Barn Angling Centre in Paignton became the
first fishery to trial the new Live Fish Permit. This
was a useful exercise to see where improvements
to the new system could be made before it comes
into force.
Changes to live fish movement process
New Barn Angling Centre in Paignton became the
first fishery to trial the new Live Fish Permit. This
was a useful exercise to see where improvements
to the new system could be made before it comes
into force.
Projects
Exeter Lake Project
Contractors, Bridge Civil Engineering,
conducted an initial archaeology survey of the site
at the end of August . This revealed medieval field
boundaries which were recorded before work
on the lakes could begin. The two lakes and
wetland took about a month to excavate during a
welcome dry spell. Ramped access points from the
canal bank, paths and platforms are now being
installed. Once completed, the lake will be
allowed to fill and the site will be landscaped and
left to naturalise before being opened to the
public. The lakes will be managed by Exeter &
District AA who are keen to make the venue a
junior angling Centre of Excellence.
Fisheries monitoring programme
In total 127 fish surveys were conducted this year.
The programme comprises 52 sites on the Exe, 11
on the Lyn and 64 annual sites on the Avon, Axe,
Dart, Erme, Taw, Teign and Torridge.
Data is currently being collated and results should
be available in December. We have also
completed the annual Transitional and Coastal
Waters (TraC) monitoring survey on the
Taw/Torridge estuary. This required five sites
within the estuary to be netted. The fish are
identified, measured and counted. Over the past
three years a total of 15 different species of fish
have been recorded during this operation.
Under the new Aquatic Animal Health Directive all
fisheries that wish to stock or remove fish must
now be registered with the Centre for Environment,
Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
Despite an awareness campaign many fisheries
are still applying for Section 30 consent without
being registered and this is causing a delay in
their application. The registration process requires
a named person to be responsible for the fishery
and all stocking activity at the site. It also requires
that all fish species present are recorded. This has
revealed a number of fisheries holding species
restricted under the Import of Live Fish Act without
the necessary licences.
Angling participation events
Good weather helped another good year of events.
There was greater interest than in previous years,
especially the game angling sessions at Kennick
reservoir. Exeter & District Angling Association and
Newton Abbot Fisheries Association both ran
evening junior teaching sessions which were well
attended. Clubs also got involved with local
schools' activity weeks and with running sessions
for people with learning difficulties.
Other news
Coarse fish seminar
A seminar is planned for 14 November at Exeter
University. Topics covered will include the new
Live Fish movement process, stocking barbel to
stillwaters, fisheries management techniques and
using invertebrates as an indicator of good water
quality. All stillwater coarse fishery owners and
clubs are welcome to attend. There is no charge
for the seminar and lunch and refreshments will
be provided. Anyone wanting to attend should
contact Chris Carter on 01392 316 182 before
31 October to book a place.
Successful