North West Water Authority

Lune, Wyre & Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee 10th April, 1978

Item Type monograph

Publisher North West Water Authority

Download date 26/09/2021 06:51:26

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/27005 North West Water

Dawson House, Great Sankey Warrington WA5 3LW Telephone Penketh 4321

F.2/B22 3rd April, 1978

To: Members of the Lune, Wyre and Furness Fisheries Advisory Committee: (Messrs J.M. Croft (Chairman); W. Bailey; R. Barratt; R.A. Challenor; J.H. Fell; A.L. Harris; G.A. Martin; J. Taylor; G. Wilson; Dr. J.V. Dyer; Major N.J. Clarkson Webb; and the Chairman of the Authority (P.J. Lidell): and the Chairman of the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee (T.A.F. Barnes)(Ex officio)).

Dear Sir,

A meeting of the LUNE, WYRE AND FURNESS FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE will be held at 2.30 p.m. on MONDAY, 10TH APRIL, 1978, at the SOUTH CUMBRIA AREA OFFICE of the RIVERS DIVISION, "BEATHWAITE" LEVENS, KENDAL, for consideration of the following business.

Yours faithfully,

G.W. SHAW,

Director of Administration.

AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence.

2. Minutes of the last meeting (previously circulated).

3. Membership of the Committee.

4. Fisheries Income and Expenditure.

5. Investigations for future water supplies to South West Cumbria.

6. Morecambe-Heysham Sewerage Scheme - Crossing of River Lune.

7. Terminated angling leases.

8. Report by Area Fisheries Officer on Fisheries activities.

9. Calendar of Meetings 1978-79.

10. Institute of Fisheries Management - Annual Study Course.

11. Any other business. P .2 /B 1 2 NORTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY

LUNE, WYRE AND FURNESS FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

10TH APRIL, 1978

MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE

1. Mr. Leslie Hill of Kendal, who had served on this Committee since its inception, as the nominee of the Kent (Westmorland) Angling Association, has submitted his resignation due to ill health.

The Chairman has written to Mr. H ill wishing him well and thanking him for his service over the last four years.

2. The Association have subsequently nominated Mr. Robert Harper of Collingield Farm, Kendal, to take Mr. H ill's place on the Committee and should this nomination be accepted, the Regional Committee w ill be asked to confirm the appointment on 2nd May, 1978. F .2 /A 9 NORTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY

LUNE, WYRE AND FURNESS FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

1QTH APRIL 1978

FISHERIES INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

1. The Committee's recommendation made at the last meeting on 16th January 1978 that, for the present, the Authority defer the question of reviewing the existing net licence duties, was noted by the Regional Committee on 6th February 1978 who recommended that there be no variation in the existing net licence duties in 1979.

2. However, it was agreed that an investigation should be carried out into the feasibility of the net licence duties beii.g based upon the uniform percentages of the annual declared catch in respect of the type of net used with a view to consideration for implementation on 1st January 1980.

3. In addition, the Regional Committee recommended that application be made to the M inister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for a continu ation of the excusal from the licensing system for:

(i) eel fishing with rod and line seaward of the highwater mark;

(ii) freshwater and eel fishing in inland waters of a surface area of not more than one hectare.

4. After submission to the Policy and Resources Committee on 6th March 1978 these recommendations were approved by the Authority on 20th March 1978 and appropriate notices have been published in the press. F .2 /B 1 3 NORTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY

LUNE, WYRE AND FURNESS FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

1QTH APRIL, 1978

INVESTIGATIONS FOR FUTURE WATER SUPPLIES TO SOUTH WEST CUMBRIA

1. On 16th January, 1978, the Conun it tee considered a report which had been submitted to, and accepted by, the Policy and Resources Committee on 5th December, 1977, concerning investigations for future water supplies to South West Cumbria.

2. The report outlined the alternative schemes at present being investi gated which are:-

Scheme A Further development of the existing Poaka Beck Reservoirs with no emlargement of the present reservoirs. This would involve pumping to the reservoirs from one of the nearby rivers, of which the River Crake is the most favoured river from an engineering and eco nomic viewpoint. The scheme could provide additional supplies of 15-20 Ml/d and would require an abstraction of at least 35 Ml/d from th e r i v e r .

Scheme B Further development of the existing Poaka Beck Reservoirs including enlargement of the present storage capacity. When fully developed, this scheme would be expected to yield about 40 Ml/d. It would involve a similar intake and pumping station to Scheme B but with a capacity of at least 55 Ml/d. It is likely that a scheme sim ilar to Scheme A would form a first stage of Scheme B.

Scheme C A new pipeline over 50 km. long to convey treated water from the existing Haweswater Aqueduct near Kendal to Ulverston and B arrow .

3. In view of the fisheries implications of Schemes A and B, the Committee were invited to nominate appropriate representatives to take part in informal discussions on the river abstractions schemes with officers of the Authority. It was resolved that Mr. J.H. Fell should be authorised to invite representatives to join him in the discussion with the officers.

4. A meeting took place on 7th March under Mr. F ell's Chairmanship and a Note of the discussion is attached at Appendix 1.

5. The Committee are invited to consider the views recorded in the Note of the meeting. F .2 /B 1 4 NORTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY

LUNE, WYRE AND FURNESS FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

1QTH APRIL, 1978

INVESTIGATIONS FOR FUTURE WATER SUPPLIES TO SOUTH WEST CUMBRIA ~ REPORT OF MEETING HELD TO DISCUSS THE FISHERIES ASPECTS OF ABSTRACTION FROM R. CRAKE

1. At their meeting held on 16th January, 1978 the Committee resolved that Mr. J.H. Fell be authorised to invite representatives to join him to discuss the fisheries implications of the Poaka Beck scheme with officers of the Authority.

2. Under the Chairmanship of Mr. J.H. Fell Officers of the Authority met a number of those with fishery interests on the River Crake on 7th March, 1978. Those attending were:-

Mrs. T.N. Addison, Vale House, Spark Bridge Mr. Buchananan, Sunny Glen, Spark Bridge Mr. W. H all, Lowick M ill Farm, Lowick Bridge Mr. F. Harrison, Bridgefield Farm, Lowick Bridge Major J.V. Machell, Penny Bridge Hall, Greenodd Mr. M. Hooper, Agent for Major Machell Mr. P. Rushton, Secretary of Low Nibthwaite Anglers Mr. H.B. Whittam, Secretary of Ulverston Anglers

3. Prior to the meeting those attending were provided with information on the scheme and on the possible effects of abstraction on the residual flows in the River Crake. The following six points summarise the comments of those consulted:-

(a) The over-riding reaction was a wish to see a development which did not take water from the River Crake.

(b) The prescribed flow during the summer, from June (or possibly July) through to October, inclusive, should be 100 Ml/day. (The officers proposals were based on a prescribed flow of 40 Ml/day throughout the year with abstractions limited to 50% of the flow in excess of the prescribed flow). The 40 Ml/day as an accept able winter prescribed flow as was a 50% abstraction factor for both seasons.

(c) As much pumping as possible should take place in winter to ensure that the reservoirs were as full as possible in the s p r in g . 2

(d) Any intake should be as far downstream on the river as possible.

(e) Smolt screens should be installed at the intake.

(f) A fish counter should be installed, preferably in the lower reaches. F .2 /B 2 5 NORTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY

LUNE, WYRE AND FURNESS FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

10TH APRIL, 1978

MORECAMBE-HEYSHAM SEWAGE SCHEME CROSSING OF THE RIVER LUNE

1. The final stage of the above scheme, which links the sewerage systems of Morecambe and Heysham to the new sewage works under construction at Stodday is to proceed shortly.

2. The Scheme involves laying three steel pipelines; one of 540 mm and two of 600 mm diameter across the River Lune at the point shown on the attached plan. The work is under the control of the Lancaster City Council acting as agents for the Authority.

3. It is possible that during the construction period this work could affect the Lune fisheries, but until tenders have been received by the City Council and examined by their Consultants, it is not possible to estimate the extent of that effect.

4. The officers anticipate that they will have further information by the date of the meeting.

P .2/A 24 NORTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY

LUNE, WYRE AND FURNESS FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

10TH APRIL 1978

TERMINATED ANGLING LEASES

1. On 6th February, 1978, the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee considered a report previously approved by the Recreation Sub committee on 23rd January 1978, setting out proposals for dealing with terminated angling leases on the Authority's reservoirs.

2. Those reservoirs on which the leases had terminated (but were being renewed on a 12 month basis) had been placed in three categories as f o llo w s : -

C a te g o ry 1 - Reservoirs with suitable treatment where there seemed to be no reason why angling rights should not be relet for club use for a period of seven years.

Recommendation of Recreation Sub-Committee

that negotiations be opened with a view to reletting the angling rights by lease for a period of seven years, offered in the first instance to the existing tenants subject to certain provisions.

C a te g o ry 2 - Reservoirs receiving less than suitable treatment where there should be a review of the operation po sition, consideration of small scale improvement works or termination of use and leasing.

Recommendation of Recreation Sub-Committee

That the leases be renewed only on an annual basis because of operational considerations.

Category 3 - Reservoirs where informal consultations had indicated serious local interest in the setting up of public angling facilities under direct Authority management or joint arrangements with local authorities.!

Recommendation of Recreation Sub-Committee

That these reservoirs be the subject of continuing consultations with the tenant clubs, other interested parties and authorities regarding the setting up of public angling (and in certain cases other recreational facilities), under Authority and/or local authority management arrangements. In the meantime terms be renewed for a further year if appropriate. 2

3. The Regional Committee's concern that reservoirs in Category 3 could be designated either solely for public angling, or public angling and other recreational activities, possibly to the detriment of existing lessees, was accepted by the Water Management Committee on 27th February 1978, who agreed that no final decision be taken to agree future activities on any of the reservoirs in Category 3 until such time as the appropriate Local Fisheries Advisory Committees have considered fully the effects of the proposals on the fisheries and the existing lessees.

4. Harlock, Poaka Beck, and Pennington reservoirs and the River Kent (Kendal) water all lie within the area of the South Lakeland District « Council and are included in Category 3.

5. Although this report is submitted for the information of members and to bring to their notice the course of action outlined in the recom mendation included in paragraph 3 above, the Committee may wish at this early stage to indicate their views on the future of angling on those waters referred to in paragraph 4 above. F.2/A 16 NORTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY

LUNE, WYRE AND FURNESS FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

10TH APRIL 1978

REPORT BY THE AREA FISHERIES OFFICER ON FISHERIES ACTIVITIES

1 . RIVER CONDITIONS AND FISHING

There has been a very slow start to the salmon fishing season with only 2 fish known to have been caught on the Lune; one at Caton and the other at Claughton. Four spring salmon have been reported caught on the Kent but there have been no reports from other rivers in South Cumbria. A number of reports of well-mended kelts being caught is a very encouraging sign following the severe outbreak of UDN which occurred in the spawning season of 1977.

Fishing conditions have been poor generally with very low water temperatures and large volumes of snow melt water. However,conditions improved with warmer weather at the beginning of March.

Coarse fishing has generally been poor with few anglers out on Windermere and Coniston where the Perch disease has had a serious effect. The lower Lune between Halton and Skerton has fished well during periods of warmer weather.

Very little information is available on coarse fishing in the River Wyre during December due to the bailiff staff being engaged on work , associated with migratory fish spawning. Water levels were above normal for most of the month and so far as can be assessed these conditions deterred anglers. Similar conditions prevailed during January and February but with show lying on high ground, and for the most part water levels were maintained well above normal. Some good catches of coarse fish were taken from the lower reaches of the River Wyre during the latter half of February with a few roach up to 2 lbs.

2 . MIGRATORY FISH MOVEMENT AND SPAWNING

In the northern part of the area the most reported fish movement was that of Kelts moving back to the sea. Only the counter at Halton has so far recorded any fish movement, with 40 fish over 4 lbs. passing through. However, this total includes 19 doubtful counts, as they occurred when the counting channels froze over completely. This is the first time that this has occured at the installation.

On the River Wyre the high river levels which persisted throughout November and most of December made it difficult to observe spawning activity in salmon, sea trout and brown trout. As a result of these high flows no useful count of redds could be obtained and after water levels had fallen (towards the end of December) no sensible assessment could be achieved due to the levelling influence of successive spates which obliterated all traces of early spawnings. 2

The consensus of opinion amongst the bailiff staff is that salmon and sea trout stocks in the River Wyre during the 1977 season were well below normal and that most of the salmon were very small fish of from four to six pounds in weight. This is confirmed to some extent by the size of fish taken for stripping and those taken by anglers.

3. HATCHERIES

(a) Middleton Hatchery

Ova being incubated:-

South Cumbria Area

168.000 Sea Trout Ova 102,300 Salmon Ova

Lune Catchment

216.000 Salmon Ova

In addition 45,000 sea trout ova are being incubated for the Southern Area prior to transfer to Langcliffe Hatchery.

Development has been retarded by the long period of low water temperature during February but the warmer weather at the begin ning of March has accelerated hatching. Installation of the new silt-settling tank and pipework has now been completed.

(b) Langcliffe Hatchery

Considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining fish for stripping due to high water levels during the spawning period and it was not until December that conditions improved to some extent and netting became possible on some pools. The lateness in the season and the shortage of salmon in the Wyre resulted in only 10 fish being caught. Of these fish, all of which were under 5 lbs., 2 were males and 8 were females. Three of the females would not strip and the remaining 5 produced only 1 0 , 0 0 0 ova. It is probable that, as these fish were caught late in the season, some of them would be partly spawned out and this would account for the low product of ova.

The ova from the River Wyre fish are being developed at Langcliffe hatchery and when the eyed stage is reached they will be trans ferred to the Middleton Hatchery for development to fed fry at which time they will be planted in suitable feeder streams in the River Wyre system. Attempts to purchase ova from Scottish Hatcheries have not been successful, many of these hatcheries also having had difficulty in obtaining parent fish.

4. STOCKING BY THE WATER AUTHORITY

The Authority have acquired a lease on a pool at Claughton Hall and this will be used as a stock pool for the development of coarse fish for introduction to suitable waters within the area. 3

STOCKING BY ANGLING ASSOCIATIONS

The following waters have been restocked with brown trout by Angling Associations:-

Association N o . of

River Keer Carnforth & District 300 River Bela Milnthorpe 400 River Kent Kent AA 7,000 River Condor Galgate AA 500 River Kent (Staveley) Staveley AA 400 River Lune Manchester AA 400 River Lune Tebay AA 4,000 River Rawthey Sedbergh AA 500 Claughton Lake Springfields Sports & Recreation Club 600

In addition a number of rainbow trout and brown trout have been introduced into Cleveley Mere by Mr. C. Taylor of Cleveley Lodge Farm, Forton.

PREDATORS

Complaints concerning high numbers of predators are still frequent. Herons, cormorants and mink appear to be especially abundant at the present time although there have been no reports of mergansers.

A recent paper published in the New Scientist suggests that the overall effect of mink may not be harmful to fisheries. This survey was based on studies in the South and South West of England. However, this is not in accord with information which has recently been given by MAFF representatives for this area.

FISH DISEASE

There have been very few reports of diseases fish in the rivers since January but this is possibly associated with the small number of migratory fish to be seen at the present time.

FISH MONITORING STATIONS

(a) Haverthwaite

The existing oversails which have stood since 1965 are being replaced, and the original tube counter is to be replaced by a strip counter. There will also be some slight modifications carried out in the fish pass area to improve the efficiency of this counter. The work has already commenced.

(b) Broadraine

Modifications have been carried out on the strip counter in the fish pass at Broadraine in order to improve the efficiency of the counter.

Instrumentation has now been installed at Skerton Weir and the low flow fish counter at this weir is expected to be ope rational by the end of March. NORTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY

LUNE, WYRE AND FURNESS FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

10TH APRIL 1978

CALENDAR OF MEETINGS 1978-79

On 6th March, 1978, the Policy and Resources Committee approved a draft; calendar of meetings for the Authority, Committees and Sub committees for the "Authority Year" from June 1978 to June 1979, for submission to the Authority for consideration at its Annual Meeting on 19th June, 1978, in accordance with Rule 1(3) of the Rules of the A u th o r ity .

The dates proposed for meetings of the Regional and Local. Fisheries Advisor^ Committees are set out in the appendix hereto for infor mation. Any variations made at the Annual Meeting w ill be notified to member. APPENDIX

REGIONAL AND LOCAL FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEES

CALENDAR OF MEETINGS 1978-79

Advisory Committee Time and Date of Meeting

Mersey and Weaver 2.30 South and West Cumberland 2.30 Eden and District 2.30 South Lancashire 2.30 Lune, Wyre and Furness 2.30 REGIONAL 2 .1 5

South and West Cumberland 2.30 Eden and District 2.30 South Lancashire 2.30 Lune, Wyre and Furness 2.30 Mersey and Weaver 2.30 REGIONAL 2 .1 5

South and West Cumberland 2.30 Eden and District 2.30 South Lancashire 2.30 Lune, Wyre and Furness 2.30 Mersey and Weaver 2.30 REGIONAL 2 .1 5 F.2/A21 NORTH WEST WATER AUTHORITY

LUNE, WYRE AND FURNESS FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

10TH APRIL 1978

INSTITUTE OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ANNUAL STUDY COURSE - 19/21ST SEPTEMBER 1978

1. The Annual Study Course is being staged this year at Lancaster University on 19th 20th and 21st September and further information may be obtained from Dr. J.B. Leeming the Authority's Principal Scientist (Biology) who is acting as organising Secretary.

2. A varied programme is planned, which will include papers of local interest and a visit to sites on the rivers Lune and Leven and Windermere.

The cost of the course including accommodation, meals, annual dinner and the visit will be approximately £55. (Course Fee including visit £22.00, Lunch £1.75 per day Annual Dinner £6.00.)

3. The Authority's official delegation will, comprise seven members (Chairman of the Authority, Chairman of the Regional Fisheries Advisory Committee and the Chairmen of the Local Advisory Committees or their nominated representative) along with ten officers employed on fisheries work.

4. This report is submitted for the information of members and a further detailed programme will be cirulated at the next meeting of the Committee.