Fish Surveys and
Fish Rescue

Background
A fish survey is required ahead of any project that could potentially cause harm to the fishes’ environment or jeopardise their ecological status. The survey enables us to safely monitor fish populations in rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.  Depending on the requirements, the methods we use will give us a detailed assessment of the population including fish age, species, abundance and density. Once complete, the fish go back into the water unharmed.

Survey Method
Electrofishing is the preferred field survey method.  It uses direct current electricity flowing between a submerged cathode and anode. This affects the movements of nearby fish so that they swim toward the anode, where they can be caught or stunned. The process does not harm the fish.

o Operatives will be equipped with a backpack mounted electro fisher, two suitably sized insulated dip nets and containers.
o Survey lead will be suitably trained and certified competent on electro fishing by the Institute of Fisheries Management. There will be a minimum of two operatives present during electro fishing operations
o All operatives will comply with the clean dry check procedure to maintain high levels of bio-security.
o If any Pike Esox lucius are caught, they will be segregated in a separate container to prevent predation on other species.
o Eels will be contained in separate containers from other species. This is due to eels producing large amounts of mucus when stressed and can increase the viscosity of the water in a container to the point where other species are unable to respire satisfactorily.
o Throughout the whole process operatives will handle fish with extreme care and regularly observed fish for signs of stress, especially signs that could indicate low levels of oxygen. Ensuring that fish captured remain alive and in good condition is the primary objective.
o An electro fishing permit FR2 will be obtained from the Environment Agency prior to the fish rescue.
o A suitably qualified and experienced Ecologist will remain on site and supervise for the duration of the fish rescue.