Monthly Fish Update: March 2012
Upstream counts March 2012
The upstream count for March 2012 was 144 and is the highest in our records, surpassing the previous highest occurring in 2005, by 18. The count was 92 higher than the 5 year average and 99 higher than the long term average. The upstream count for the year to the end of March is 198 and is the 3rd highest in our records; the two highest figures (2004 & 2005) were the result of very high counts during January. The upstream count for April up to 9am on the 2nd is 8
The upstream counts were recorded on almost every day of the month. The largest daily counts were recorded on the 18th, 20th & 25th. The vast majority of upstream counts were recorded in the latter half of March. Counts appear to show very little association with river height and temperature other than the underlying trend in counts and temperature are both upward, while the trend for river height is downward.
Further details of the daily upstream counts for 2012 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 2012
During March, we received 15 scale samples all of which came from salmon. Nine of these samples came from early running salmon or ‘spring fish’ and 6 from fish that had returned to river in 2011; some of the 2011 fish are likely to have returned to the river very late last year. Of the 2012 fish, two thirds spent 3 winters in the sea and the remainder spent 2 winters. The average weight of the 3SW fish was an impressive 17lbs while the average weight of the 2SW fish was 13lbs.
The total number of the samples received for 2012 is 38, 18 coming from early running fish, 19 from 2011 returning fish and 1 from a sample that couldn’t be aged.
Please remember that if you are sending some scales, please place them in a paper envelop, never tinfoil, cling film or plastic bags and please remember to send in place and date of capture, if you need some scale packets we can send some out to you. We would also be grateful if you could give an estimate of weight and or length. If you wish to receive details of the scale reading please remember to add your name and address.
If you would like further details of the programme or the Tyne Angler Logbook scheme please call the environmental monitoring team on 0191 203 4140 or drop me an email morton.heddell-cowie "at" environment-agency.gov.uk.
Many thanks
Morton
Upstream counts March 2012
The upstream count for March 2012 was 144 and is the highest in our records, surpassing the previous highest occurring in 2005, by 18. The count was 92 higher than the 5 year average and 99 higher than the long term average. The upstream count for the year to the end of March is 198 and is the 3rd highest in our records; the two highest figures (2004 & 2005) were the result of very high counts during January. The upstream count for April up to 9am on the 2nd is 8
The upstream counts were recorded on almost every day of the month. The largest daily counts were recorded on the 18th, 20th & 25th. The vast majority of upstream counts were recorded in the latter half of March. Counts appear to show very little association with river height and temperature other than the underlying trend in counts and temperature are both upward, while the trend for river height is downward.
Further details of the daily upstream counts for 2012 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 2012
During March, we received 15 scale samples all of which came from salmon. Nine of these samples came from early running salmon or ‘spring fish’ and 6 from fish that had returned to river in 2011; some of the 2011 fish are likely to have returned to the river very late last year. Of the 2012 fish, two thirds spent 3 winters in the sea and the remainder spent 2 winters. The average weight of the 3SW fish was an impressive 17lbs while the average weight of the 2SW fish was 13lbs.
The total number of the samples received for 2012 is 38, 18 coming from early running fish, 19 from 2011 returning fish and 1 from a sample that couldn’t be aged.
Please remember that if you are sending some scales, please place them in a paper envelop, never tinfoil, cling film or plastic bags and please remember to send in place and date of capture, if you need some scale packets we can send some out to you. We would also be grateful if you could give an estimate of weight and or length. If you wish to receive details of the scale reading please remember to add your name and address.
If you would like further details of the programme or the Tyne Angler Logbook scheme please call the environmental monitoring team on 0191 203 4140 or drop me an email morton.heddell-cowie "at" environment-agency.gov.uk.
Many thanks
Morton