Fowey 2013 Semi-‐Quantitative Electro-‐ Fishing Survey

River Fowey Electrofishing report WRT/FRA Fowey 2013 Semi-Quantitative electrofishing survey

Report prepared for the Fowey Rivers Association by the Westcountry Rivers Trust;

Giles Rickard, Bruce Stockley, Matt Healey and Sarah Wigley. Report date: 20.12.13

Westcountry Rivers Trust Kyl Cober Parc Stoke Climsland Callington Cornwall PL17 8PH

Context Survival to the end of the first summer is known to be poor for salmonid fry. Up to 90% of the alevins that emerge from the redds will not survive. Even in good quality habitat with a rich food supply, high densities of fish will undergo strong competition for resources with each fish trying to gain a profitable feeding station. The fry index surveys are used as a coarse measure of fry numbers/abundance at each particular site. For each single year it also gives a broad indicator of salmonid spawning success across a catchment.

Site Selection and Permissions Sites were selected at regular intervals throughout the catchment as agreed in 2010 (Figure 1). Electrofishing permission was obtained from the Environment Agency. Access to sites was arranged by telephone or cold-calling on landowners.

A shallow riffle section was chosen at, or as near as possible to, each selected site. The sites marked in Figure 1 represent the actual sites fished, rather than the sites initially identified for sampling. The completion of the walkover survey of the Fowey will prove particularly valuable in the future and will help identify fry habitat in the catchment, which may lead to the revision of some sites.

Permission to access sites was quicker than in previous years, due to the use of existing contacts, although this process still takes up a considerable portion of time.

Sites that were not fished by the Trust fell into Three main categories a) the site had been fished by the Environment Agency in 2013 and was therefore refused/unnecessary. b) contact/permission was not identified/attained in time, c) permission was refused by the landowner. d) one site could not be surveyed because it was recently identified as hosting Phytophora ramorum (sudden oak death) and there where bio-security concerns.

Field sampling Each site was electro-fished by a two person team using an E-fish 500W single anode backpack. The unit was predominantly fished at the same settings of (50Hz at 250v), although the voltage was increased to 300v where the conductivity was found to be particularly low, as identified in the headwaters of the main river Fowey.

The operatives fished continuously in a downstream direction for a standard five minutes over suitable fry habitat without the use of stop nets. The fishing area was variable because only the length of fishing time was fixed. Fish were collected in a net and placed into a holding bucket.

All Salmonids were length measured with habitat features such as land use, substrate type and shading recorded at each site. A photograph of each site was also taken. Sites were classified on the basis of fry numbers recorded at each site. This classification scheme is taken from the original fry index produced by Crozier & Kennedy, 1994 (Table 1).

Table 1. Semi-quantitative abundance categories and their relationship to quantitative electro-fishing densities (Crozier & Kennedy, 1994).

Density Classification Semi-quantitative Quantitative equivalent (n5min -1) (n100m-2)

A (excellent) >23 >114.7 B (good) 11-23 69.1-114.6 C (fair) 5-10 41.1-69.0 D (poor) 1-4 0.1-41.0 E (absent) 0 0

Seven species of freshwater fish were recorded in the Fowey catchment during sampling including; bullhead, brook/river Lamprey, eel, salmon, sea trout, brown trout and roach.

The results of the electro-fishing survey are classified according to the methodology of Crozier and Kennedy, as seen in table 1 below, with each site being given an equivalent density classification compared to quantitative monitoring. The results with the classification for each site can be seen in Table 2 in the appendix. The fry that escaped during electro-fishing were assigned to either trout or salmon groups depending on the percentage of each species already recorded at the site

This semi-quantitative methodology was designed by Crozier and Kennedy for both salmon and trout. However, the results for trout need adjustments to take into account the difference in the regression line for trout and salmon as described in Crozier and Kennedy 1994. Whilst the difference this will cause to the results is slight, we are currently in discussion with Eden Rivers Trust to fine tune the results for trout using this methodology.

Results 2013

Salmon

2013 is the second semi-quantitative electrofishing surveying year since the closure of the Fowey hatchery and salmon fry release program. In contrast to 2012 flow conditions were generally low to very low, generally making electrofishing conditions easier.

There were Two ‘A’ classification sites found (none in 2012) in the catchment along with five ‘B’ classification sites (six in 2012). The Cardinham Water once again performed extremely well accounting for one ‘A’ classification and one ‘B’ classification site. There were no salmon fry found in the St Neot River indicating low and isolated recruitment.

The middle and upper reaches of the river performed well compared to previous years which maybe partially linked to the high flows in 2012. There were several ‘B’ and ‘C’ classifications attained with a ‘B’ classification found as high as Drayne Woods (above Golitha falls) and salmon fry found as high up as Dozmary Downs (site 3). The lowest two sites Brownqueen Wood Weir and Restormel Farm were well below previous years both achieving ‘D’ classification.

Warleggan

Unfortunately a limited number of sights were surveyed on the Warleggan in 2013, predominantly due to not receiving permission from a significant landowner. There were concerns that the results maybe published beyond the Trust and it was felt, more productive to maintain good relations with the owner longer term than push for permission in 2013.

Three sites were surveyed predominantly in the lower half of the Warleggan reaching as high as Carne Woods (EA site in 2013). Salmon were found at the three sites, with sites classified as ‘C’ or ‘D’ for salmon. The lowest site on the Warleggan, fished for the first time by Westcountry Rivers trust scored ‘D’ which was lower than expected though the site may not be ideal for Salmon. This result is markedly different to the lower sites on the Cardinham, which performed very well. There is again potential that some of these areas were affected by the high flow in the previous autumn, which may have disturbed reds. The survey site at Crabshill wood was ‘C’ which is similar to previous years.

Upper Fowey

The results for the upper Fowey (Above Draynes Bridge) were relatively similar to the previous year, though generally improved again as two sites achieved C classification and salmon were once again found as high up as site 3, Dozmary downs (‘D’ classification). This would be seen as the best result so far attained during the four years of survey, which may reflect the high 2012 flows and possible improvement works to the Draynes valley. The Drayne Woods site also achieved a ‘B’ classification, which has not been achieved since 2010.

Trenant Stream Two sites were surveyed on the Trenant steam (one E.A, one WRT) in 2013. A low density of salmon fry (D) where found by the Environment Agency survey in 2013 at the lowest site Chapel, indicating again that salmon do spawn here, time to time, but in very low numbers.

Cardinham Water

The Cardinham Water once again produced extremely robust results, further showcasing its significance for salmon spawning with one ‘A’ class site and four ‘B-C’ class sites found within the catchment. Interestingly the lowest site on the Cardinham produced 32 fry in five minutes of surveying which is the highest in the entire catchment.

In 2013 salmon fry were found higher up the catchment than in 2012, with salmon found at Cardinham Bridge (‘C’ class) and Milltown (‘D’ class), suggesting that some salmon were able to pass the ladyvale culvert, given the higher flows observed in 2012 over a prolonged period.

Plate: Lady vale bridge culverts below sites 42 and 43

Lower Fowey

The result for the middle and lower Fowey appeared better in 2013, with several of the middle sites improving from ‘D’ to ‘B’ or ‘C’. All sites in the middle of the river were ‘B’ or ‘C’ with Respryn site also producing an ‘A’ class result. The lowest two sites however were at odds with the others, scoring only ‘D’, compared to the previous years average of ‘B’. The cause of this is unclear and may warrant investigation, although the most obvious cause maybe the very high flood conditions in 2012 destroying reds.

Trout

The distribution of trout fry generally followed a similar pattern to previous years, with trout fry density highest in the upper reaches of the main river and larger tributaries along with the smaller side tributaries throughout the catchment. However in 2013 there were six ‘A’ class sites compared to one in 2012, which is a significant improvement.

There were five sites in 2013 where no trout fry were present, predominantly in the main stem of the river and upper St Neot, although often par and older trout were found in these areas.

St Neot

No trout fry were found in the top site of the St Neot, below the dam, although par and adult trout (25cm) were found. This site has been noted for a while as having a high level of iron ochre, which has smothered and concreted gravels. A significant source of the ochre has been identified above the survey site, and a technique for remediation should be researched, such as re-wetting/raising water level and pH adjustment.

Trout fry were found in better numbers in 2013 at the next site down (29- Trewindle) and this is thought to be due to the lower flows (later survey date) and a slight adjustment of the survey site upstream to better juvenile habitat.

Plate: Site of iron ochre entering stream below the Dam

The three lower sites on the St Neot, from St Neot Bridge, to Pengelly Bridge (32) produced reasonable trout fry classes of ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘C’ respectively. No Salmon fry

Copyright © 2012 by the Westcountry Rivers Trust 10 River Fowey Electrofishing report WRT/FRA were recorded at any of the sites although a salmon parr (92mm 1+) was recorded at Carnglaze Caverns. Salmon distribution is clearly low in the St Neot, although there maybe still some natural recruitment directly above the confluence.

Minor tributaries

The results from the minor Fowey tributaries in 2013 suggest that they are very important spawning and nursery habitat for brown trout and likely also to be key areas for sea trout spawning in the catchment.

Of the six minor tributaries three scored ‘A’ and two ‘B’ suggesting extremely good recruitment. Some of these streams are very small, particularly given the low flows in summer 2013, however they still produced very high numbers of juvenile fish. Only one site Cabilla wood (22) was low (class ‘D’), there were high numbers of par and older fish but below expected numbers of fry, and there appears to be no obvious cause to this, other than high flows scouring potentially.

Cardinham Water

The Cardinham water provided very high numbers of trout fry in 2013 with 3 class ‘A’ sites suggesting excellent recruitment and good survival. At one of the sites, Millpark, a tributary (43), there were over 45 fry and 70 trout in total caught, which is very high figure for a 5 minute survey on the Fowey. This indicates the productivity of the Cardinham Water is high, and demonstrates the potential for watercourses on the Fowey, which are generally in a healthy state.

Plate: Site (43) Tributary of the Cardinham, where over 70 trout were caught in a five minute survey

It is suggested that the higher than average flows in 2012 have allowed larger fish including sea trout to spawn further up the watercourses boosting fry numbers, in the upper reaches and tributaries.

Discussion

This is now the fourth year that the fry index survey has been undertaken and the second since the cessation of the hatchery. The general broad trend and distribution of salmon and trout across the catchment has continued into a fourth year, however it is apparent that there can be notable variation between years in the recruitment and survival of fry at any particular site. Several sites have changed by a score of two e.g. ‘D’ to ‘B’ in 2013 for salmon, particularly in the middle and upper reaches of the main stem which can be viewed as an improvement to 2012. The upper reaches of tributaries and the small minor tributaries performed well in 2013 and would indicate a link with the high flows in 2012 improving access and potentially precluding fish from using the lower reaches in high flow.

The 2013 survey again highlighted the low abundance of salmon in the St Neot river and indicates that salmon may only be spawning in the very lowest section at present.

Unfortunately not as many sites were surveyed on the Warleggan as would be desired, particularly in the upper reaches, although from the three sites sampled, the results would appear similar to last year, with salmon classifications hovering around the ‘C’ to ‘D’ mark.

The trout classification was more stable in general between the four years, partially because there has been no supplementary stocking in this time.

Implications for Management.

The management recommendation proposed in the 2012 Fowey Eletrofishing Survey report should be continued and carried forward where possible. For ease of reference the recommendations below from the 2012 report remain in black type, whilst new recommendations from the 2013 report are shown in blue type.

Management recommendations for the Fowey based on four years of semi-quantitative electrofishing results

Introduction

These recommendations broadly follow the Defend/Repair/Attack concept developed by Ronald Campbell of the Tweed foundation, and have been applied locally in the Exe catchment by the RETA project. The fry productivity of the rivers is assessed by a combination of data over the last four years semi-quantitative electrofishing results, along with some EA netted electrofishing sites, of which 3 were used in 2013. These results are then applied in context of existing plans (e.g. Salmon Action Plan, habitat walkover surveys and genetic data) to produce assessments and recommendations for each sub-catchment of the river. These sub- catchments are classified according to three levels: Defend, Repair, and Restore.

Defend These areas have good stocks and habitat, and need safeguarding actions to ensure no decline occurs. Repair These areas have moderate fish stocks, and fish habitat in a moderate condition; these areas need assisted habitat recovery to move them into the Defend category.

Attack These areas have poor fish stocks, and the habitat is significantly degraded. These areas need drastic intervention such as habitat reengineering in order to improve their status.

Please note these do not relate to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) classifications with similar names.

Whilst this provides a useful structuring framework, and something of a ‘traffic lights’ system, reality is always complex and lies on a continuum between these extremes. A useful way to visualize this continuum is the inverted pyramid figured below. The goal of this report is to move the sub-catchments of the Fowey up the pyramid from the unstable point (i.e. Poor fish stocks and habitat) to the broad top of a healthy, natural riverine ecosystem. Where the populations are in a very poor state radical actions may be required to see a change. Conversely, where the stocks are already good, habitat re-engineering and stocking operations would be inappropriate. Actions to achieve these improves can be divided between ‘fish stock actions’ such as fish translocations or bag limits for anglers and ‘fish habitat actions’ such as removing barriers to migration or coppicing. In many situations, both types of action will be required.

Such actions can involve the third and volunteer sectors as well as statutory bodies, for example a fishing club may choose to adopt catch and release in a poorly performing tributary, but only maintain bag limits on those that are doing well, without the EA having to resort to Bylaw restrictions.

In the management recommendations below the Fowey will be divided up into its sub-catchments and these will be classified for salmon and trout in a red/orange/green ‘traffic lights system’ following the above attack/defend continuum. It would be of great benefit to assess if these divisions of the Fowey in to tributaries into sub-catchments are biologically valid. This can be achieved by using genetic markers to identify the populations within the catchment.

Draynes Valley

Trout/Sea Trout B/C Classification(C/D Lower Draynes section): Upper reaches Good = Defend Lower Reaches Moderate = Repair Salmon D Classification: Moderate = Repair

ACTION: Carry out farm visits in the Draynes valley to assess options to reduce sand ingress (e.g. Drain blocking/Drain filtration/Land drains/Fencing). Some information can be utilised from the recent walkover surveys here.

The upper reaches of the Draynes valley produced B/C classifications for trout fry over the four years surveyed. Whilst sand ingress to the river occurs in this region of

Copyright © 2012 by the Westcountry Rivers Trust 18 River Fowey Electrofishing report WRT/FRA the Draynes valley it does not appear to have a significant impact on trout productivity. There is a mixture of open areas and gorse bushes in the upper reaches as well as trees in the lower sections providing habitat diversity.

The lower reaches of the Draynes valley provide habitat that is suitable for salmon spawning, but electrofishing results are generally a ‘C’ to ‘D’ classification. This area can be regarded as underperforming for salmon productivity. Habitat walkover surveys have indicated a number of areas of sand ingress in addition to that described above in the upper Drayens valley. Associated with this sand is an issue with overgrowth of in river weeds in particularly mono-species reaches of Hemlock, which act to retain the sand and decrease its downstream mobility.

Whilst it is recognised that the geology of the area will always provide a significant supply of sand to the river, current land management practices that cut through the peat layer exacerbate this issue to cause significant over-supply of sand. The volunteer efforts of the FRA to clean weeds manages the situation by cleaning gravels and mobilises sand to travel downstream. The longer-term solution is to work with the farmers to change land management practices and infrastructure to reduce sand input into the Draynes valley. However it is our assessment that there are few options for win/win’s to be had that will benefit both the farmers and reduce sand input. Therefore any land management changes that will be made are likely to require some investment in order to incentivise this change.

The natural falls at Golitha are accepted as a natural barrier for fish passage that will provide a longstanding impediment to fish movement, thereby lowering expectations for the Draynes valley, particularly in years with low flows.

The North Netherton Weir has been investigated by Fish Tech and is not considered a significant obstacle to fish passage.

Trenant Stream

Trout/Sea Trout B/C Classification: Good = Defend Salmon D/E Classification = N/A Low suitability for salmon = No Action

ACTION: Undertake further investigation and commission habitat improvements based on the walkover survey, such as Hemlock control/removal. It is a possible site for more detailed semi-quantitative electrofishing focusing on trout riffles.

The Trenant is a small stream that can produce small numbers of salmon in the lower reaches. Low numbers of salmon were found in the Trenant in 2013. It is recommended that the area be managed for primarily as an area of trout sea/trout habitat, however more information is needed to determine how this is best achieved. It is recommended that habitat surveys are prioritised for this area, and if funding is available more detailed semi-quantitative electrofishing be carried out.

St. Neot

Trout/Sea Trout B/C/D/E Classification: Moderate=Repair Salmon E Classification with C at confluence: Poor=Attack Caveat: This tributary is heavily modified by the effect of Colliford reservoir and efforts to Repair or Attack this problem are likely to be short term in effect, with a poor cost/benefit ratio.

ACTION: Assess the cost/benefit effects of restarting the hatchery on the Fowey. Consideration should be given to the effectiveness of the hatchery versus the habitat actions recommended for elsewhere in the Fowey catchment.

ACTION: PR14 Investigation into lowering of pH from water impoundment and techniques to reduce iron ochre.

The St. Neot suffers from the effects of Colliford reservoir. The resultant reduction in water quality and quantity has had a substantial effect on the salmon and sea trout of the river. Whilst trout numbers have declined significantly since the installation of the reservoir, the salmon numbers have declined even more steeply. 2012 results show an absence of salmon except the site at the bottom of the St. Neot, near the confluence with the main Fowey.

Whilst the trout classification for the St. Neot only indicates moderate populations of fry the constraints of water supply and water quality do not commend this tributary to habitat intervention to improve trout populations. Interestingly when the salmon fry were not stocked onto the St. Neot it appears that trout fry moved into unoccupied habitat and occurred at similar numbers to those previously found of salmon. This indicates a possible ‘hidden cost’ of stocking salmon, i.e. displacement of trout fry from the habitat.

The St. Neot has benefited from a mitigation hatchery operation run by the FRA for several years. Fry were stocked from the FRA hatchery into the St. Neot. The results from the semi-quantitative electrofishing for 2010 and 2011 indicate ‘C’

Copyright © 2012 by the Westcountry Rivers Trust 20 River Fowey Electrofishing report WRT/FRA classifications for trout at the stocking sites. However, the hatchery was not run over the winter of 2011/12 and these sites previously showing a C classification for salmon showed an ‘E’ result in the 2012 survey (no salmon fry at all). This is a clear indication that the hatchery was working for its stated aim of acting to mitigate the effects of Colliford on the salmon population of the St. Neot.

Given the results, works to mitigate for the effect of Colliford can be envisaged as either within the St. Neot itself, or by compensation for its lack of productivity by focusing on other areas in the Fowey catchment. In the St. Neot tributary works are suggested to include additions of gravel in the areas where naturally occurring salmon are still found on the catchment and/or restarting the salmon stocking programme. A cost/benefit analysis of these actions should be carried out, including the consideration that whilst the stocking has been shown to be successful, as soon as it stopped it benefits ceased also.

During the survey season the source of some of the iron ochre was identified below the dam. This ochre has smothered and concreted the gravels in this area and is also detrimental to water quality. Research into a novel solution to improve this could be investigated such as raising the water level.

A brief Investigation into invertebrate data collected across the Fowey from Upstream Thinking catchment investigations has suggested that pH maybe lower than predicted according to the species found. Acid sensitive species were generally low in the headwaters of the fowey and warleggan, as predicted, however at the St Neot site below Colliford, no acid sensitive species were found, indicating that the reservoir maybe causing a further reduction in pH. There is a similar investigation currently taking place at the Avon dam and the findings from that may help to shed light on Colliford reservoir. An invertebrate sample could be taken above the reservoir to ascertain the number of acid sensitive taxon. If a drop in pH can be proved due to the reservoir, then the remediation maybe quite simple. Techniques such as the addition of ground limestone or sea sand can cost effectively raise pH in the short/medium term.

Middle Fowey (From just above St. Neot confluence to just above Warleggan confluence)

Trout/Sea Trout B/C/D/E = Moderate = Repair Salmon B/C/D Classification = Moderate = Repair

ACTION: Targeted coppicing of woodland adjacent to fry riffles should be carried out. The effects of this should be monitored by future electrofishing to determine if this produces an increase in fry numbers, especially for salmon. ACTION: Install water quality data loggers above and below the confluence with the St. Neot.

Fisheries habitat walkover surveys indicate habitat that is suitable to support good levels of salmon fry, however the results of three years have been highly variable and inconsistent, however this maybe in part due to the cessation of the hatchery. It is a notable feature of the river in the middle Fowey that it is heavily shaded and with only a few areas with some patchy light reaching the water. If targeted coppicing was carried out in suitable habitat then an increase in fry numbers is likely to occur.

The influence of the St. Neot water on this section is unknown, and provides a possible alternative explanation for the underperformance of this section of river. Water quality data logging would assist in assessing if this is the case.

Warleggan

Trout/Sea Trout Classification B: Good = Defend Salmon Classification C: Moderate = Repair

ACTION: Complete Fisheries walkover surveys and stakeholder consultation.

ACTION: Investigate WFD failures for Copper and Zinc (potentially acid mine drainage) and whether these have an effect on fish classifications.

The Warleggan was on average a B/C classification for salmon in 2011, and C/D in 2012 and 2013. There are access issues due to natural rock obstructions in the middle of the catchment. Some walkovers have been carried out on the Warleggen by WRT and whilst there are some minor issues we are not able to identify the major causes for what appears to be underperformance for salmon on the sub-catchment. However these results may be caused by inter-annual variation and/or the cessation of stocking on the Warleggan. Further walkovers and stakeholder consultation is

Copyright © 2012 by the Westcountry Rivers Trust 22 River Fowey Electrofishing report WRT/FRA recommended. There are two identified artificial barriers on the Warleggan at Wainsford and at The Crabbshill Wood gauging station. The gauging station is of standard construction, however the pooling effect behind it may affect the downstream migration of smolts in the spring, particularly during low flow conditions as they are very susceptible to predation (Gauld et al 2013.

The Warleggan WIP identifies that the water body is currently failing WFD for elevated levels of copper and Zinc. These are likely to be a legacy from historic mining potentially around Glynn Valley works area. The source of these metals could be investigated and remediation techniques could be trialed such as the construction of a wetland or pH adjustment if confirmed as acid mine drainage (AMD).

Cardinham

Trout/Sea Trout B/C Classification = Good = Defend Salmon B Classification (D/E above Lady Vale Bridge) Below Bridge: Good = Defend Above Bridge: Moderate/Poor = Attack

ACTION: Carry out easement at Lady Vale Bridge to enable fish passage ACTION: Carry out coppicing of heavily shaded areas

The Cardinham performs exceptionally well for salmon and it is recommended that every effort is made to defend production of salmon from this tributary. However, The obstruction at Lady Vale Bridge indicates a break point for the high performing sections of the river and the poorly performing sections. It is suggested that significant improvements could be had, by enhancing fish passage at Lady Vale Bridge. It is hoped that funding will be secured for the design of this easement, where upon funding options should be explored to commission the work. Additionally fisheries habitat walkover surveys have shown that the Cardinham is significantly over shaded and carefully selected coppicing of heavily shaded areas could be carried out to improve habitat diversity and facilitate maximal productivity from this tributary.

Trout fry production on the Cardinham is generally good, and increasing habitat diversity by coppicing would also benefit trout populations in appropriate locations. There are known to be detrimental effects on the Cardiham from the industrial estate in Bodmin, which included an incident in 2013. Although it is difficult to achieve direct action here, the ability to respond to future incidents, report issues and take details may help in the longer term to ensure the risk here is reduced.

Fowey lower water

Trout/Sea Trout D/E Classification = Moderate = Repair Salmon B Classification = Good = Defend

ACTION: Stakeholder consultation, carry out walkovers on side streams.

This area is productive for salmon, and less so for trout. Our walkovers have not yet identified any pressing need for actions in this section of the Fowey, however stakeholders should be consulted to identify any actions that can be taken to defend this section of water, and ensure it maintains its B classification.

Trout classifications were moderate, as this is the lower water of the river it is to be expected that salmon fry dominate over trout. However the side streams are likely to provide valuable trout habitat.

Small tributaries

Trout/Sea Trout A/B Classification = Good = Defend Salmon D/E Classification = N/A Low suitability for salmon = No Action

ACTION: Undertake simplified walkover surveys to record obstructions such as culverts, weirs and drop offs. Also identify areas for habitat improvement such as coppicing and watercourse fencing.

These catchment wide surveys have helped to quantify salmonid recruitment across the catchment and it has also highlighted the significant role played by the small side tributaries, which enter the main river along its length.

Plate: example of a drop off at the downstream end of the A38 culvert (Penadlake tributary)

Although the majority of these tributaries would be classified as ‘Defend’ there maybe the potential for some smaller scale habitat works to ensure that they reach their full potential.

Given the small size of these tributaries habitat improvements would not be expected to be costly. Simplified walkovers could be undertaken to identify blockages to fish movement such as poorly constructed culverts with drop offs, weirs and areas of heavy shading and bankside erosion form livestock.

Suggested possible sources of funding for actions identified above

• Environment Agency (EA) Medium Term Plan • Catchment Restoration Fund ‘SCRIP’ (WRT) (Limited to the St. Neot and Warleggan-limited) • Colliford Mitigation fund from South West Water (Administered by Fowey Fisheries Resources Group – FFRG) • Volunteer actions, support for bag limits or catch and release, gravel cleaning and weed pulling etc. • Forestry Commission for specific work on their land

References Pilcher, W. (2000). A report On the Impact of Ditching Works And Sand Intrusion On the Upper River Fowey In Cornwall. Environment Agency

Gauld et al (2013), Reduced flow impacts salmonid smolt emigration in a river with low-head weirs

Environment Agency (2003). River Fowey Salmon Action Plan

Acknowledgements Thanks to all landowners involved for their kind permission and to the Environment Agency for providing valuable extra data.

We would also like to thank the FFRG for funding this project.