Tyne Angler Scale Sampling Programme. July 2011

[Editor]

Counts

The upstream count for July 2011 was 5,651 and is fifth highest in our records; the highest (9240) being recorded in 2010. The highest daily counts were recorded on the 12th, 13th and 19th, with 736, 400 and 488 being recorded respectively. The 2011 count was 325 higher the 5 year average (5326) and was 1,101 higher than the 15 year average (4550). The upstream count for the year up to the end of July was 10,593 which is the third highest total for the period January through to July. The upstream count for August up to approximately 10:00 on the fourth was 1,545.

The majority of the upstream counts were recorded from 21:00 to 06:00 and the fewest counts were recorded from 06:00 to 11:00 and 15:00 to 21:00. Oddly, this July there were a noticeable number of counts recorded between 11:00 to 15:00. In previous years, only a limited number of counts have been recorded during the the period 08:00 to 21:00. Closer inspection of the data shows that the majority of the counts were recorded on the 12th and 19th, when conditions must have been attractive for fish to move during this period.

Further details of the daily upstream counts for 2011 and historic monthly counts can be found by following the link below:

Environment Agency - River Tyne fish counts

During July the largest daily upstream count was recorded during a very modest increase in river flow and slight decrease in water temperature. The spate on the 17th July resulted in almost no upstream counts being recorded. However, on the following day, as the flows started to subside and the water clear, the number of upstream counts recorded increased, peaking on the 19th when the water temperatures also slightly increased. The increase in flow on the following two days appears to have depressed the numbers of counts being recorded. However once flows had receded back to normal levels and the water temperature began to recover to seasonal averages (~17.5C), there was a slight but unsustained increase in 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 2011

For the month of July we have so far received 80 scale samples, 47 from salmon and 33 from sea trout. Scale reading of the salmon samples has shown that almost three quarters came from fish returning to the river in the summer (scales showing + growth beyond the final winter); of these only two samples have come from grilse (one sea winter fish). The remaining salmon scale samples for July came from fish that returned to the river during the spring. The pattern of age classes is similar to previous years with the exception of the low grilse proportion of the sample. As in June, the sea trout samples for July were again dominated by one sea winter fish returning to spawn for the first time. Only two repeat spawning fish have shown up in the samples.

Salmon	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	Total
Feb				1		3	6	14	2	26
Mar			11	2	4	11	3	14	26	71
Apr			35	7	2	16	4	15	8	87
May			15	2	1	3	5	3	8	37
Jun			6	3	10	22	15	9	23	88
Jul	2		2		4	21	30	27	47	133
Aug			13	12	22	43	61	102		253
Sep			5	19	24	63	80	144		335
Oct				11	9	59	101	114		294
Total	2	0	87	57	76	241	305	442	114	1324

Sea trout	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	Total
Apr								2		2
May							1			1
Jun					6	9	17	4	10	46
Jul		1	2		12	18	21	42	33	129
Aug			5	5	7	19	26	52		114
Sep				2	2	13	14	22		53
Oct				2		12	12	16		42
Total	0	1	7	9	27	71	91	138	43	387

The Angler Scale Sampling Programme is part of the impact assessment into the construction of the Second Tyne Tunnel. Support of the Angler Scale Sampling Programme and Angler Logbook Scheme will ensure that these monthly updates will continue. Please remember we want samples from fish of all sizes not just the very small and the very large.

Many thanks for you support

The Angler Scale Sampling Programme is supported by:




Morton Heddell-Cowie
Tyne Tunnel Monitoring Officer


Environment Agency
Tyneside House
Newcastle Business Park
Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7AR

Part of the Environment Agency's Yorkshire and North East Region