River Tyne Monthly Fish Update – September 2013

Editor

The Salmon Atlas
Monthly Fish Update – September 2013

Fish Counts

The upstream count for September was 8,395 and is the sixth highest in our records. The count is 755 higher than the five-year average and 1,325 higher than the long-term average. The count for the year to the end of September is 26,206 and is the fourth highest in our records. This count is 3,381 higher than the five-year average and 7,492 higher than the long-term average. As of 09:30 on 8th October, the upstream count for the month is 3,138, which brings the count for year to date to 29,334.

No code has to be inserted here.


During September, there were two noticeable peaks (9th & 17th) in the number of upstream counts recorded, both of which occurring while the river was dropping back after the spates on the 7th and 16th September. The slight rise in flows on the 10th appears to affect the number of upstream counts being recorded slightly but the effect appears to be short lived. There was a small spate on the 20th September that occurred midway through a release of water from Kielder Reservoir. It is noticeable that immediately after this small peak in flow, there is an increase in the number of counts recorded and this is sustained for four days.

During the first half of the month, it appears that when water temperatures are increasing the number of counts recorded each day is decreasing. However, during the second half of the month, it is noticeable as temperatures rise the number of counts recorded each day also rise, and when the temperature fall, there is a reduction in the number of samples received.

When the flows were low and unchanging at the beginning of the month, most of the upstream counts are recorded at night with minimal activity recorded during the day. The large increase in flows on 7th resulted in very few counts being recorded that day but as the flows dropped back, there is a substantial increase in the number of counts recorded during the day. As the flow continued to fall the number of counts recorded at day also decreases but there is a slow increase in the number of counts recorded at night. Once flows fall close to their average and below, most of the upstream counts are being recorded at night. However, the rise in flows on the 16th resulted in very few counts being recorded that day and again as flow starting to fall back, a similar pattern in the number of counts being recorded that occurred previously is observed. Towards the end of the month we again see a pattern similar to what was observed at the start, with the vast majority counts being recorded at night and very few during the day.

It is worth noting that temperature also has a strong influence on when counts are recorded. In cooler temperatures, counts are more frequent recorder during the day, while during warmer conditions, counts are more frequently recorded during the night.

Further details of the daily upstream counts for 2013 and historic monthly counts can be found by following the link below:

Environment Agency - River Tyne fish counts

If you are not already aware, we have a system on the internet that will allow you to check river levels before you head out. Please follow the link below:

Environment Agency - River and sea levels

Angler Scale Sampling Programme

So far, 103 scale samples have been received for September bringing the total sent in for the season to 267. Of the number received for September, 83 are from salmon and 20 are from sea trout.

Of the salmon samples received, 53 came from fish caught on the main Tyne, 16 from those caught on the North Tyne and 14 from those caught on the South Tyne. Forty-five samples came from later running one sea winter fish or ‘grilse’, thirty were from later running multi sea winter (MSW) fish, four were from early running MSW fish or ‘springers’ and three were from repeat spawning salmon. It was not possible to age the remaining sample, as scales were replacements whilst at sea.

Of the sea trout samples sent in, 20% came from fish caught on the North Tyne, 50% from those caught on the south Tyne and 30% from those caught on the main Tyne. The majority of the scale samples came from sea trout making their first return to spawn after spending one winter at sea. Of the repeat spawning fish, 1 was making its third return and one was on its fourth. Nineteen of the sea trout samples came from fish that left the river as smolts after two winters and one after three.

If you are waiting to receive any certificates, I am hoping to get these sent out on the 10th October.

Please remember this update depends on the success of the Angler Scale Sampling Programme.

If you would like further details of the Angler Scale Sampling Programme or the Tyne Angler Logbook Scheme or know of someone who would like to join or you catch a salmon or sea trout with a green or blue tag please call the environmental monitoring team on 0191 203 4140 or email me, morton.heddell-cowie 'at' environment-agency.gov.uk.

Many thanks for your support

Morton
 
Top