The project is called
the Living North Sea project which promotes
free fish migration. Fish, such as sea trout
and eels, which migrate from the sea to
fresh water to
spawn, have fallen in numbers and the project
aims to halt this decline.
It involves 15 different
partners from seven different countries
including the Association of Rivers Trusts,
the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
and the Dutch Angling Association.
As part of the project,
fisheries staff from the Environment Agency
in the North East have collected samples
from sea trout from a number of rivers including
the Coquet, Wear, Tyne, Tees and Ure.
Phil Rippon, project
manager for the North East Living North
Sea project, said: “Our work is part of
a bigger genetics project which involves
taking samples from sea trout stocks throughout
the North Sea area, from countries such
as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Scotland.
“It is believed that
sea trout stocks in different rivers are
genetically different and it should be possible
to track individual river stocks throughout
their lifecycles once a genetic fingerprint
for that stock is established.
“The aim is to collect
samples from both juvenile sea trout in
the rivers and adult sea trout caught at
sea so that we can discover more about the
migratory routes of this important species.
The information will help us to identify
where individual river stocks migrate to
in the North Sea, whether sea trout stray
back to different rivers and where there
are pressures on individual river stocks.
“The link between rivers,
estuaries and the North Sea is vital and
we can use this information to see whether
there are any problems in our own areas.”
The team has used different
techniques to collect information about
the North East’s sea trout. They have used
information provided by anglers, and data
from electrofishing which involves putting
a small electric current into the water
that temporarily stuns fish.
The results have been
sent to Living North Sea partners in Denmark,
who are experts in genetics, to be analysed.
Phil said: “Next year
we hope to progress with our surveys by
sampling adult fish around the North East
Coast.”
The project is part
of the Environment Agency’s plan towards
meeting the Water Framework Directive (WFD)
and the European Commission’s Eel Regulation
requirements. The WFD encourages everyone
with an interest in water to work together
to protect and improve the quality of the
water environment, including wildlife habitat,
fish population and recreational activities.
+ More
Environment Agency Wales
warns people in Conwy ‘Don’t be the only
one who isn’t prepared for flooding’
Environment Agency Wales
has been speaking face-to face with people
in Conwy, in a bid to help them understand
and manage their flood risk.
As a result, just under
80 per cent of those spoken with have agreed
to take practical action to be better prepared.
Officers from the Agency’s
Flood Awareness Wales team have spoken directly
with over 3000 householders and businesses
at risk of flooding in Kinmel Bay, Llanfairtalhaearn,
Llandudno, Towyn, and Pensarn and Belgrano.
The Agency says that
of those spoken with nearly 90 per cent
are now more aware of the practical actions
to take to prepare for flooding to minimise
its impact. And just under 80 per cent have
committed to taking action to reduce their
flood risk such as completing a personal
flood plan. Additional properties at risk
of flooding in these areas will be further
targeted in the future when the Agency seeks
to engage with the wider community as part
of its Flood Awareness programme.
As part of the Flood
Awareness Wales campaign, launched in June
this year, Agency officers are visiting
communities across Wales, like those in
Conwy, at risk of flooding.
The Agency has almost
finished its £2 million scheme to
'top up' the floodbanks on the Clwyd which
protects Towyn, Kinmel Bay and Belgrano.
Such schemes are designed to reduce the
risk of flooding, but the Agency cannot
eliminate the risk of all future flooding
so its important for communities to be prepared.
The officers provide
advice about flood risk and encourage local
people to complete personal flood plans
and flood kits for use in emergencies, as
well as providing information on practical
measures that can be taken now to prepare
for a flood.
To date the campaign
has visited over 10,000 properties in north
Wales to help raise awareness of flood risk
and how to be prepared.
Leading FAW officer
for north Wales Philip Jones said “We want
people to be aware that although flooding
cannot be completely prevented, there are
things that they can do in advance to help
reduce the devastating impact it can have.
We’ve still got properties at risk in these
areas that we want to engage with in the
future. The message is simple - don’t be
the only one who isn’t prepared.”
You can find out if
your property is at risk by calling Floodline
0845 988 1188 or visiting www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwales.
“If you are at risk
find out if you are able to sign up to receive
free advance warning of flooding from rivers
and the sea by calling Floodline or visiting
our website. We also encourage people to
create a personal flood plan containing
important information you would need during
a flood such as insurance policy numbers,
locations of gas, electricity and water
mains and emergency contact numbers, and
we recommend you keep this somewhere safe
and easy to reach in a waterproof folder.
You can also survey your home to identify
the ways in which floodwater may enter.
Sandbags and plastic sheets can be kept
to hand to put in front of the entrances
to your property, or you could purchase
flood boards for a more permanent method
of prevention”, added Philip.
Visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwales
to download a personal flood plan, view
a short film providing a step to step guide
of the practical actions needed to prepare
for a flood and for further information
about what to do before, during and after.
Darren Millar AM for
Clwyd West said: “The threat of flooding
is never far away for those of us living
and working on the coast in North Wales.
Having had personal experience of the floods
in Towyn 20 years ago, I know only too well
how devastating flooding can be. I welcome
Environment Agency Wales’ ‘Flood Awareness
Wales’ campaign which will help homes and
businesses prepare to take appropriate action
to minimise the risk and impact of flooding.
A number of communities in Clwyd West are
at risk of flooding and I would urge everyone
to take action to be prepared.”
Gareth Jones AM for
Aberconwy said: “I commend Environment Agency
Wales for undertaking this extremely important
work in raising awareness of the risk of
flooding to constituents in Aberconwy. The
Welsh Assembly Government has worked with
Environment Agency Wales, Welsh Water, Conwy
County Borough Council and landowners, and
invested millions of pounds locally in reducing
the risk of tidal, river and storm flooding,
but no government can eliminate that risk
completely. I would urge all householders
in Aberconwy to make sure they take advantage
of all the information that is being given
to them in this awareness campaign. It’s
vital to be ready so please don’t miss out
on this chance to find out exactly how you
and your family can be best prepared if
the worst should ever happen.”
‘Flood Awareness Wales’
is a Welsh Assembly Government funded project.
