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British Waterways comissions major fish study

28th Apr 2008

British Waterways (BW) has commissioned The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) to carry out a major, three-year electronic fish tagging survey on the Tees Barrage, at Stockton on Tees.

The study began in April this year and is being managed by CEFAS, an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and British Waterways.

Special focus to populations that use the Tees Barrage

Funded by BW, the £500,000 project will provide scientific data to help scientists, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts begin to understand the complex interactions and relationships that take place within the fish, bird and mammal populations. Here the survey gives special focus to those populations that use the Tees Barrage as an area for their migration and feeding behaviour.

It is also anticipated that the Tees survey will benefit other studies of rivers in the North East being carried out by CEFAS, such as the River Tyne, where they are monitoring fish movements and the environmental factors that impact on fish migration.

Part of the focus for the Tees survey will be to establish data relating to seal predation, and salmon and sea trout numbers in the Tees Estuary, which has caused controversy amongst some angling groups.

Laurence Morgan, General Manager for British Waterways Yorkshire said: "There are a great many anecdotal views about the impact of the Tees Barrage on fishing; with some anglers saying it has improved while others argue it has declined. CEFAS are the leading experts in their field and we are confident that this study will enable them to provide reliable, scientific and indisputable data which can inform the future management of the structure and river."

The Barrage has created a major watersports destination

The £54 million Barrage has created a major watersports destination, with its canoe slalom course, warm-up lake and caravan park, and features one of the best coarse fisheries in the North East. Since British Waterways (BW) took over management of the Tees Barrage in 2001, the quality of the water in the River Tees has continued to improve from its industrial and polluted past, and wildlife is generally thriving in the area.

While the study is being carried out, British Waterways is undertaking a variety of interim measures, as recommended by the Environment Agency. One of these includes the installation of a 'penstock' to facilitate fish movement through the fish pass when water levels are high.

Provide British Waterways with valuable data

Sue Longstone, Area Manager for the Environment Agency said: "We are looking forward to the results of this study, which will provide British Waterways with some valuable data to help inform future actions to improve salmon runs in the Tees."

Last updated: 22/10/2008