North West Water Authorityaquaticcommons.org/10659/1/240_S...1976/12/01 · Mr. E. Young of 'Swinst Gill'y , Great Clifton, Workington, to succeed Mr. Williams as a fishery representativ

Dawson House, Great Sankey Warrington WAS 3LW Telephone Penketh 4321

North West Water Authority

1. Apologies for absence. 2. Minutes of the last meeting. 3. Constitution of the Committee. 4. Land drainage representation on Local Fisheries Advisory

5. Branthwaite Weir. 6. Ennerdale compensation flow, 1974. 7. Report by Area Fisheries Officer on fisheries activities. 8. Association hatcheries - recommendations for future policy. 9. "Taking Stock". 10. Seminar on water conditions dangerous to fish life. 11. Any other business.

Committees.

NORTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY

SOUTH AND WEST -CUMBERLAND FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

12th JANUARY, 1976

CONSTITUTION OP THE COMMITTEE

1. The late Mr. R.C. Williams, in addition to serving on the Committee as a fishery representative, served also as the member "knowledgeable in the quality aspects of surface waters"„

2. At the last meeting of this Committee held on 13th October,.1975, it was recommended that Mr. J.M. Mawson of Stone House, Scales, Aspatria, be appointed as a member knowledgeable in the quality aspects of surface waters.

The Regional Committee approved the appointment .on 3rd November, 19 75.

3. Following consultation between the Chairman of the Regional Committee and the Chairman of this Committee, the Regional Committee also approved the appointment of Mr. E. Young of 'Swinsty Gill', Great Clifton, Workington, to succeed Mr. Williams as a fishery representative on this Committee.


SOUTH AND WEST CUMBERLAND FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

12th JANUARY, 19 76

LAND DRAINAGE REPRESENTATION ON LOCAL FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEES

1. At the last meeting of the Committee held on 13th October, 1975, a full report was presented on the progress made in achieving reciprocal representation of land drainage interests on the five Local Fisheries Advisory Committees.

The Local Land Drainage Advisory Committees made the following appointments at their November, 1975, meetings:-

Land Drainage Advisory Committee

Cumberland

Fisheries Advisory Committees

South and West Cumberland

Member Appointed

R.J.W. Slack

Lancashire

Eden and District

Lune, Wyre & Furness

R.K. Nicholson

G.A. Martin

Mersey & Weaver

South Lancashire

Mersey & Weaver

R. Farrington

A. Jones



MONDAY, 12TH JANUARY, 1976

BRANTHWAITE WEIR

The above weir on the River Marron is occupied by a Mr. Talbot who proposes-to carry on the business of farming fish for food in the former mill race adjacent to the weir. This proposed business has given rise to problems concerning the flow of the river over the weir and its fish pass,

A brief history of the matter to date is as follows,. In 1959 the then Cumberland River Board installed on Branthwaite Weir a "baulk" type pass. This was done with the Minister's approval and was at the expense of the Board. Subsequently this pass and the weir deteriorated to less than half its length and it appears that little or no maintenance of the pass was carried out by the River Board. In the summer of 1975 Mr. Talbot re-built the weir in connection with his proposed fish farm. It was, however, re-built without a fish pass, and a gap was left pending the Authority stating its views on what type of pass would be required. The Authority investigated the position regarding the fish pass. One possibility was to require Mr. Talbot to install a pass under powers contained in what is now. Section 9 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975; any pass installed in pursuance of this provision must, however, be approved by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Enquiries of the Ministry revealed that the minimum flow down a fish pass which would now be approved is 1.8 million gallons per day, and that a "pool-and-overflow" type pass of this capacity would be required in order to obtain such approval. If,however, Mr. Talbot were to agree voluntarily to install at his own expense a "baulk" type pass at least as efficient as that originally installed by the Cumberland River Board, the law would be complied with and there would be no reason to insist upon his taking any further steps. An agreement on these lines was reached and a "baulk" pass was duly installed on the weir by Mr. Talbot. Subsequently, however, he has started to divert down the millrace such a quantity of water as to render the weir and fish pass and the stretch of river immediately below it inaccessible to fish. It is the extent of the present abstraction which gives rise to the problem.

The following courses of action would appear to be open to the Authority to resolve the present situation

(a) Prosecution under Section 12 of the 1975 Act for an act rendering the fish pass less efficient.

The Authority's case would be that the excessive, albeit otherwise lawful, abstraction amounted to an act whereby the pass v/as rendered ineffective. There are, however, potential difficulties as to evidence and if it were decided to proceed with a case on these lines, prolonged observation of fish activity in the vicinity of the weir might be necessary.

(b) Prosecution under the Land Drainage Byelaws

The Marron is "main river" at Branthwaite and in diverting so much water as to substantially alter the level in the main channel below the weir Mr. Talbot would appear to have contravened the former Cumberland River Authority Land Drainage Bye laws.

(c) "Compulsory" Installation of a Ministry-Approved Pass by the Authority.

The Authority could as a last resort apply to the Minister for approval of the installation of a "pool-and-overflow" pass satisfying the Ministry's requirements, but not only would Mr. Talbot have a right of objection to this procedure but the Authority would also be liable to him for compensation for the injury to the dam. Installation of such a pass would. use the entire river flow in times of dry weather and so render Mr. Talbot's business impossible. While the Authority always has a discretionary power to apply for installation of a pass on these lines there would be no particular reason to do so unless the pass on the weir was continuously less efficient than that constructed by the former Cumberland River Board'.

4. Course (a) above would involve investigation of the current position at the fish farm and weir and the river in its vicinity and course (b) would also involve some degree of observation. The above are seen as courses of action which could be taken if all else should fail but the Authority is investigating the possibility of an agreement with Mr. Talbot to allow him to abstract sufficient water for his f ish farm while ensuring a sufficient flow in the r iver .. This may take the form of regulating the amount of his abstraction or some compromise solution, such as pumping or recycling of the mi l l race, water® It is proposed that a further approach should be made to ,' Mr. 'Talbot with a view to reaching agreement before any of the above proceedings are commenced,, While the provision of a satisfactory pass for fish in order to preserve the upper reaches of the river as a fishery must take priority over Mr. Talbot's own ambitions, it is felt that a further attempt should be made to resolve the matter amicably.,



12th JANUARY, 1976

ENNERDALE COMPENSATION FLOW, 1974

1. Arising out of a request from a Committee member for clarifi-cation of the arrangements for the discharge of compensation water from Ennerdale Lake, the following report is submitted with particular reference to the situation in 1974.

2. During the severe drought conditions of early summer, 1974, the level of Ennerdale Lake fell to a level below the minimum at which outflow by gravity to the River Ehen can be maintained at the statutory 31.8 Ml/d (7 mgd).

Outflow fell briefly below 31.8 Ml/d between 20th and 24th April and again between 1st and 5th May, but adjustment of the fish pass gates restored it to its correct rate until 13th May. There -follovred a period of 59 days during which it was deficient on all but 12 days, by varying amounts up to a maximum 15.8 Ml/d mgd). This continued until 10th July, by which time the lake level was rising as a result of considerable rainfall and on 11th July correct compensation was resumed.

The total compensation deficit for the period 20th April to 10th July was 440 Ml, an average of 7.7 Ml/d (1.7 mgd) over the period concerned.

3» The practice of the River Authority and the River Unit prior to 1st April, 1974, was to monitor the compensation flow by examination of the chart record. At the time of the deficiencies outlined above the monthly record was not examined until early June and therefore passed undetected for some time. This situation has now been rectified and an interrogable instrument has been installed in the Ennerdale gauging station and routine checks of the rate of flow are now made by telephone.

As an indication of the effect of the reduction in compensation flow on the lake and in the River Ehen? if the whole of the 440 Ml had been pumped and discharged into the head of the fish pass, the lake level would have been drawn, down by 0.15 m (6") on 1st July, the day of maximum actual drawdown of the lake. Because of the reduced compensation flow the maximum effect on river levels at Braystones was 0.02 m (l").

5* The future use of Ennerdale Lake is at present being considered in the context of a comprehensive study of the water resources of West Cumbria.

1. MIGRATORY FISHING AND SPAWNING

The flood, which persisted throughout the area into the first week of October, was over by the middle of the month leaving the rivers clear and at normal levels. The flushing out of the tributaries just prior to the start of spawning should have done some good. Salmon stocks appeared to be low in all rivers and sea trout, although present in fair numbers, were well spread out and not much in evidence. Plenty of rods were out on the Derwent during this period although there were very few anywhere else. Catches were uniformly poor. Before the end of the season two freshets brought a few fresh fish into all rivers, including first runs into the Bleng and Mite, but the picture generally remained one of few anglers catching fewer fish.

At the beginning of November a moderate spate allowed fish to move into the upper reaches and into the Cocker and Greta in significant numbers. On the Marron they accumulated under Branthwaite Weir. A further good freshet in the middle of the month allowed further movement out of the lower reaches but there were no fresh runs and the fish already in the upper reaches of the main rivers still did not enter the tributaries. The first sea trout redds had been seen in the latter part of October and by the end of November a large proportion of the sea trout must have spawned in the main rivers.

Heavy rain around the 27th November brought all rivers into moderate spate with water well coloured and remaining so for most of the first week of December. This brought a few fish up onto the spawning beds at last, but with salmon tending to be in short supply, especially in the Ellen, Marron," Ehen and Irt, the continuing reluctance of both salmon and sea trout to move onto the spawning beds is not encouraging. The Derwent and Cocker were exceptions with fair numbers of late-run salmon moving up into the tributaries^

DISEASE

U.D.N, was apparent everywhere, a large proportion of fish being affected, by December, but virtually none appeared so badly affected as to be prevented from spawning.

2. POACHING

The bailiffs have been able to concentrate their attention on the few fish to be seen in the smaller streams and the record of only two cases having been brought is probably an accurate reflection of a satisfactorily low level of poaching activity.

3. HATCHERIES

The scarcity of fish in the smaller tributaries has resulted in more than the usual effort having to be experded in obtaining fish for stripping and, faced with the prospect of denuding the spawning beds, picking-up operations were curtailed in the first week of December

Sufficient ova were obtained on behalf of the Cockermouth Angling Association to stock their hatchery. In the case of the Egrement and District Anglers' Association, it was decided to accept a short-fall of about 25,000 ova under their hatchery capacity, to be made up with Scottish ova. Consent having been obtained also for the picking up of salmon from the Greta system, ova have again been obtained for incubation at Holmwrangle on behalf of the Keswick Angling Associations.

At Holmwrangle stripping has now almost been completed, the following ova having been obtained:

Salmon ~ River Eden - approximately 195,OOO ova (32 hen fish stripped)

West Cumberland - approximately 71,000 ova (28 hen fish stripped)

Sea Trout - Border Esk - approximately 2^7,000 ova (247 hen fish stripped)

To supplement, the above stock, provisional orders have been placed for the following:-

Salmon - 200,000 eyed ova from River Wye

Salmon ~ 200,000 eyed ova from Kincardine fisheries

Sea Trout - 100,000 eyed ova from Northumberland W.A.

Brown Trout - 150,000 eyed ova from Welham Park Fisheries

Several batches of sea trout ova, brought on by warm water from the boreholes, have hatched after only 44 days' incubation.

A minor outbreak of furunculosis has been detected among brown trout at the hatchery. The fish have been treated. Mo problems have been encountered with the salmon and sea trout parr being reared at the Hatchery in the period since mid-October. The sea trout continue to grow unusually rapidly and all appear healthy.

BIOLOGICAL WORK

No fisheries surveys have been conducted in this area since the last report in October. A survey of Mockerkin Tarn, to assess the existing coarse fish population and the tarn's potential for development will have been undertaken before the meeting.

RIVER CALDER Work on the creation of fish lies and holding pools in the River

Calder, where realignment work has been carried out by British Nuclear Fuels Limited, has been postponed in view of the damage suffered by the gabions already is hoped that the work will proceed as soon as the bed has become sufficiently stable for repair work to. be practicable.


SOUTH AND WEST CUMBERLAND

FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

12TH JANUARY, 1976

ASSOCIATION HATCHERIES - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE POLICY

At the last meeting of this Committee held on 3rd October, 19751 it was recommended that in order to ensure more efficient 'working of the private hatcheries, the Authority consider purchasing rearing equipment for allocation on loan to each private hatchery within the Region.

The Regional Committee on 3rd November, 19751 resolved that the officer review the position and report back. The Area Fisheries Officer has visited two private hatcheries and his report and recommendations are set out below.

COCKERMOUTH ANGLING ASSOCIATION

On 25th November, 1975, I visited the Hatchery with the Principal Fisheries Assistant, and the sole factor limiting fish rearing capacity at this site is water supply. This derives from a pipe the v/ater from which, is also used on an adjacent farm. It is consequently unreliable, being liable to cease in the event of any increase in demand on the farm. Further, I consider even the full .rate of supply insufficient to support a number of alevins greater than the 150,000 for which facilities now exist. As regards possible alternative or additional v/ater sources, the stream which runs past the Hatchery carries too great a silt load in flood for it to be used during incubation, and the spring from which the existing supply is drawn is too distant, at over a mile, for the laying of a new pipe to be economically feasible.

It would, however, be possible to incubate a greater number of ova if the resulting alevins, at an early stage were to be transferred to alter-native accommodation. I would suggest therefore that, as the only means by which the effective capacity of this hatchery can reasonably be increased, provision should be made for the loan of two 6ft. diameter fibre-glass tanks, to be sited above the hatchery taking their water supply from the stream in the region of the original, now defunct, rearing troughs..

1 recommend purchase of:

2 - 6 ft. diameter G.R.P. tanks at £90.00 each

Pipe, connections etc. Approx.

EGREMONT AND DISTRICT ANGLERS ASSOCIATION

" On 2.5th November, 1975, I visited the Hatchery with the Principal Fisheries Assistant and discussed the Association's plans with the Hatchery Manager. Owing to the scarcity of suitable nursery areas available for stocking by the Association and to the assumption confirmed by survey results that these streams hold as many juvenile salmonids as they can be expected to sustain, there should be no attempt made to increase the

capacity of this hatchery beyond the present 120,000 fry per annum. The water supply, although fully adequate in Spring, tends to decline in Summer to a rate which precludes any significant rearing on The only real improvement which could reasonably be made to this hatchery would be to increase its efficiency by the replacement of its present complex of concrete troughs and old egg trays, with less labour-intensive equipment. I therefore suggest that provision should be made for the loan of three large fibre glass troughs with a complement of five egg baskets each, to be housed in the existing hatchery buildings. These troughs would provide a capacity for 150,000 sea trout ova.

2. It is anticipated that there is likely to be a shortfall in the supply of salmon ova which the Egremont hatchery could accommodate, of the order of 25,000 this year.

If the Association wish to incur the expenditure it might be possible to obtain extra eyed ova from Scotland, .at a. cost of approximately £150, to make good this shortfall.

If the Committee agree, the recommendations included in 1 above will be submitted to the next meeting of the Regional Committee to be held on 9th February, 1976.



12th JANUARY, 1976

"TAKING STOCK"

1. -At the last meeting of the Lune, Wyre & Furness Local Fisheries Advisory Committee held on 20th October, 1975, the Regional Fisheries Officer was requested to report on the progress made by Water Authorities in implementing the recommendations contained in the Association of River Authorities' publication "Taking Stock" (a copy of which has been supplied to each member). It is considered, however, that this report should be presented to each Local Fisheries Advisory Committee for information.

The position in this Authority, and in other Authorities as ascertained by correspondence, is set out below


Recommendation number in "'Takinq stock"

Action already taken or proposed

1. Prohibition of commercial monofilament nets.

New draft byelaws provide for prohibition of monofilament nets.

2. Numbers of commercial nets.

Certain aspects are under consideration.

Restriction of netting at times of low flow.

Experimental work to obtain information about the movement of migratory fish from salt into fresh water is to be undertaken on the Lune estuary. A tentative proposal relating to netting restriction at times of low flow has been mentioned in a paper prepared for National Water Council Fisheries Liaison Committee.

4. Licensing of netsmen. No action.

Sale of salmon and sea trout.

6. Catch returns.

7. Net licence duties,

8. Fish pathology laboratory.

Current Northern Ireland legislation examined, but considered much too strin-gent ever to be accepted by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Irish fishery authorities however claim it is very effective in reducing poaching.

Standard form for North West Region proposed in draft byelaws.

Increases proposed under licence duty revision have been approved by M.A.F.F. and come into force on 1st January, 1976.

Discussions with M.A.F.F. and local Veterinary Investigation Centres has

resulted in trial introduction of local fish pathology facilities at certain Centres, under guidance and advice of M.A.F.F.'s Weymouth laboratory, which will supply virus strains, information on techniques, etc. Calthwaite, Penrith, is one such Centre.

9. Abstraction. Agreement for works of this kind has been reached for the Hodder (re raising of Stocks Dam), on the Leven (Manchester Water Order), and is being negotiated on the Leven in connection with an abstraction for power generation.

10. Fish monitoring. Existing network in Lancashire to be extended, as finance permits, to cover remaining two main migratory fish rivers. Start to be made as finance permits on setting up similar network in North Cumbria.

11. Coarse fish stocking. No action.

12. Development of new fisheries.

Incorporated in Authority policy is approval for purchase of sites capable of development as fisheries.

13. Acquisition of fisheries. This is agreed Authority policy, when finance permits.

14. Bailiffs. Numbers in North and South Cumbria have been increased by about 20% and grading has been improved. Conditions of service have been clearly laid down. Career structure in abeyance at present due to financial structures.

WELSH NATIONAL WATER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

At present the ratio of rod catch to net catch of migratory fish is 1 : 1 and there is no shortage of salmon or sea trout anywhere. No action is being taken to implement the recommendations, and it is unlikely that any of them will be implemented. A Regional Survey of commercial fishing is to be undertaken, and a Fishery Scientist has been advertised for to carry out the survey with a view to completion in 1979. The forthcoming report of the A.R.A.'s Salmon Stocking Working Group is expected to be a more valuable document than "Taking Stock" when it appears shortly.

SOUTHERN WATER AUTHORITY

The recommendations in "Taking Stock" have not been formally adopted as objectives in fishery management, but they are accepted as guidelines and are referred to when individual management decisions are under consideration.

SOUTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY

Progress so far made covers the following aspects:-

1. Prohibition of commercial A byelaw has been published prohibiting monofilament nets,. the use, of this type of net i.n all waters

in the Region for the taking of salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels. No objections received, and move supported by Cornish Netsmen's Association.

7. Net licence duties, A new licence structure will be introduced, on 1st'January, 1976 which includes a revision of net licence duties. Increases range from 30% to 150%. In future, General Licences will be issued only for Authority-controlled or owned fisheries and no new.General Licences have been .issued in 1975.

10. Fish monitoring. As part of a wider monitoring programme and within budget limitations, electronic counters are being installed, priority being given to catchments in which reservoirs are to be constructed.

12. Development of new fisheries.

Development of reservoirs as fisheries has been Authority's major response to its new recreational duties. A further three reservoirs have been opened recently to make a total of 19 available for fishing ., with a combined surface area of 1300 acres. These are principally trout'fisheries ranging from intensively-managed 'put-and-take' fisheries ,to natural fisheries with no bag limit. Two reservoirs are managed as mixed trout/coarse fish waters, and one as a pike fishery.

13. Acquisition of fisheries, This is declared Authority policy. A lease has been acquired from the National Trust of their fishery on the River Lyn, one of the most productive sport fisheries in the Region.

14. Bailiffs. Bailiffs of the former River Authorities have been redesignated "Wardens' to take account of their recreational duties.

NORTHUMBRIAN WATER AUTHORITY

Recommendations Nos. 2, 3 and 4 were implemented before the Report was published.

No. 1 is not being implemented. No. 5 is agreed with but not implemented. No. 6 is agreed with but implementation is impossible. No. 7 ~ action is being taken. No, 8 ~ too expensive under present economic conditions. No. 9 ~ agreed and implemented. No. 10 - agreed. No. 1.1 - agreed but more investigation required. No. 12 - already partially implemented. No. 13 - implemented. No. 14 - implemented.

The Report is described as being a 'rather ill-advised document'.


RECOMMENDATIONS AS LISTED IN 'TAKING STOCK '

1. Monofilament nets used for the commercial catching of salmon should be prohibited as is the case in the Foyle river system in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.

2. The number of commercial nets operating off-shore and in some of the estuaries of England and Wales is too high and they must be reduced.

3. Regional V/ater Authorities must be given more power and freedom to control estuarial netting, powers which would enable them to stop all netting when river flows are reduced either by abstraction or natural drought conditions below a pre-determined level.

These levels should be determined for all rivers and varied only as conditions change or by the agreement of the Regional Water Authority.

Licences should be allotted only to bona fide fishermen who fish commercially for sea fish for nine months out of twelve, for salmon during the open season, and. who take an active part in the actual netting operations.

5. We support the view that salmon and sea trout should be sold only through licensed dealers who should be limited in number and appointed by each Regional Water Authority after consultation with the appropriate organisation involved*

6. There appears to be no standard procedure for the making of catch returns by netsmen. We recommend that a standard form should be introduced which should be completed daily by each licensee and forwarded weekly to the appropriate Authority. The licensee should be required to warrant that his return is correct. Should it be found that incorrect returns are made the Regional Water Authority should have powers to cancel the licence.

7. Net licence charges at present in force are unrealistic and should be reviewed.

8. We advocate the setting up of a fish pathology laboratory located centrally in England to which all Regional Water Authorities and other water interests should have direct access and to which financial contributions should be made.

9. Where rivers have been radically denuded of water in their headwaters by abstraction, fishery works and devices should be installed to mitigate past harm.

10. Electronic monitoring of fish stocks in rivers should be given priority of attention and the limitations of existing equipment should not be used as an excuse for postponement.

11. Pressure is being exerted upon the River Authorities by many angling associations who wish to introduce coarse fish on a large scale into what are essentially game fish rivers. These pressures should be resisted for such introductions are likely to have an adverse effect on migratory fisheries.

12. Regional V/ater Authorities should survey their areas and compile a schedule of sites where new fisheries can be developed and these should be exploited to a high degree to ease the existing pressures on fish and rivers in general, and salmon fisheries in particular.

13. Regional Water Authorities should acquire fisheries of value to the public as and when they become available.

P.T.O.

14. Bailiffs now employed by River Authorities are too few to protect fisheries. Their numbers should be increased, their status improved and a proper career structure inaugurated. For the future we envisage the appointment of River Wardens whose duties will extend far beyond those that currently apply to Bailiffs of River Authorities.



12th JANUARY, 1976

SEMINAR ON WATER CONDITIONS DANGEROUS TO FISH LIFE

1. At the last meeting of the Mersey and Weaver Fisheries Advisory Committee it was resolved that the Divisional Scientist and the Regional Fisheries Officer investigate the possibility of staging a seminar on water conditions dangerous to fish life.

2. The primary aim of such a seminar will be to give anglers a better understanding of the effect of deteriorating water quality upon fish, so that they might recognise at an early stage dangers such as falling dissolved oxygen levels .in summer.

3. Such a seminar might be of interest to anglers in other areas, in which case it might be possible to hold a meeting in the northern, as well as in the southern, part of the region if sufficient demand should exist.

4. For this reason the matter is being brought to the attention of each Local Fisheries Advisory Committee to obtain their views.

Documents

North West Water Authorityaquaticcommons.org/10659/1/240_S...1976/12/01 · Mr. E. Young of 'Swinst Gill'y , Great Clifton, Workington, to succeed Mr. Williams as a fishery representativ