Monthly Fish Update – August 2013
Fish Counts
The upstream count for August was 8,168 and is the third highest in our records. The count is 2,436 higher than the five-year average and 3,602 higher than long-term average. The count for year to the end of August is 17,811 and is the third highest in our records. This count is 2,626 higher than the five-year average and 6,167 higher than the long-term average. As of 10am on 6th September, the upstream count for the month was 736, which brings the total for the year to date to 18,547.
No code has to be inserted here.
During August, there were three notable peaks in the number of upstream counts recorded. The first occurring on the 2nd, when 720 counts were recorded, coinciding with river levels falling back after the spate on 28th July and water temperatures slowly rising. The second (618) was recorded on the 14th, occurring when flows were dropping back after slight rise on the previous day. The third (712) was recorded on the 17th when rivers levels were falling back after a larger spate on the 16th. Throughout the month, we can see an association between flows and upstream counts, however, the association between temperature and counts is less obvious.
During August upstream counts were mainly recorded during the day when flows were higher, especially on the 2nd, 7th, 14th, 17th and 25th. When flows have dropped back to lower levels the reverse is seen, this is very evident towards the end of the month when the flows were at their lowest.
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, 74 scale samples have been received for August bringing the total sent in for the season to 158.
Of the number received for July, 52 are from salmon and 22 are from sea trout. Of the salmon samples received in June, 27 were from the main Tyne, 15 from the North Tyne and 10 from the South Tyne. The salmon scale samples submitted came from later running multi-sea winter fish accounted for over 60% of the salmon samples while samples from one- sea winter fish or grilse accounted for approximately 20%. Samples from spring fish and previous spawning fish account for approximately 9% each. Three of the salmon scale samples came from fish that had only spent one winter in the river before leaving as a smolt, 42 had spent two and 3 had spent three. Three salmon scale samples have yet to be read.
Of the sea trout samples sent in, 9 came from fish caught on the North Tyne, 9 from those caught on the south Tyne and 4 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 only one winter at sea. Of the repeat spawning fish, 4 were on their second return and 2 were on their third. Eighteen of the sea trout samples came from fish that left the river as smolts after two winters and two after three. One sea trout scale samples is still to be read.
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.
Many thanks for your support
Morton
The Angler Scale Sampling Programme is supported by Hardy, Bagnall & Kirkwood, Tyne Rivers Trust
Morton Heddell-Cowie
Environmental Monitoring
Environment Agency
Tyneside House
Skinnerburn Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 7AR
Tel: 0191 203 4140
email: morton.heddell-cowie / environment-agency.gov.uk
Fish Counts
The upstream count for August was 8,168 and is the third highest in our records. The count is 2,436 higher than the five-year average and 3,602 higher than long-term average. The count for year to the end of August is 17,811 and is the third highest in our records. This count is 2,626 higher than the five-year average and 6,167 higher than the long-term average. As of 10am on 6th September, the upstream count for the month was 736, which brings the total for the year to date to 18,547.
No code has to be inserted here.
During August, there were three notable peaks in the number of upstream counts recorded. The first occurring on the 2nd, when 720 counts were recorded, coinciding with river levels falling back after the spate on 28th July and water temperatures slowly rising. The second (618) was recorded on the 14th, occurring when flows were dropping back after slight rise on the previous day. The third (712) was recorded on the 17th when rivers levels were falling back after a larger spate on the 16th. Throughout the month, we can see an association between flows and upstream counts, however, the association between temperature and counts is less obvious.
During August upstream counts were mainly recorded during the day when flows were higher, especially on the 2nd, 7th, 14th, 17th and 25th. When flows have dropped back to lower levels the reverse is seen, this is very evident towards the end of the month when the flows were at their lowest.
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, 74 scale samples have been received for August bringing the total sent in for the season to 158.
Of the number received for July, 52 are from salmon and 22 are from sea trout. Of the salmon samples received in June, 27 were from the main Tyne, 15 from the North Tyne and 10 from the South Tyne. The salmon scale samples submitted came from later running multi-sea winter fish accounted for over 60% of the salmon samples while samples from one- sea winter fish or grilse accounted for approximately 20%. Samples from spring fish and previous spawning fish account for approximately 9% each. Three of the salmon scale samples came from fish that had only spent one winter in the river before leaving as a smolt, 42 had spent two and 3 had spent three. Three salmon scale samples have yet to be read.
Of the sea trout samples sent in, 9 came from fish caught on the North Tyne, 9 from those caught on the south Tyne and 4 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 only one winter at sea. Of the repeat spawning fish, 4 were on their second return and 2 were on their third. Eighteen of the sea trout samples came from fish that left the river as smolts after two winters and two after three. One sea trout scale samples is still to be read.
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.
Many thanks for your support
Morton
The Angler Scale Sampling Programme is supported by Hardy, Bagnall & Kirkwood, Tyne Rivers Trust
Morton Heddell-Cowie
Environmental Monitoring
Environment Agency
Tyneside House
Skinnerburn Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 7AR
Tel: 0191 203 4140
email: morton.heddell-cowie / environment-agency.gov.uk