London Waterway River Lee & Stort Fisheries and Angling Action Plan

Home , Aqueduct Lock, Dobbs Weir, Kings Weir, Lee Navigation, River Lea, Stonebridge Lock

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

London Waterway River Lee & Stort Fisheries and Angling Action Plan 2015

Authors

National Fisheries & Angling Team

London Waterway Team

Local Fisheries & Angling Stakeholders

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

Introduction In September 2013 the Trust launched a new angling strategy, ‘Be Inspired; Go Fishing’, which set out how the Trust intends to work more closely with angling clubs to change perceptions of angling, encourage more people to try the sport, encourage communities to play a leading role in keeping the tradition alive on their local waterways as well as maintaining and improving the local water and bankside habitat. The strategy also outlines how the Trust wants to work with communities to improve facilities, access for anglers, and in particular to grow the numbers of people involved in the sport by attracting more young people as well as improving the environment in which fish live. Fish are at the heart of angling and the aquatic environment. Good fishing relies on having healthy fish populations. Fish are a key indicator of water quality in a piece of legislation called the Water Framework Directive. We will work to achieve the targets set out in the directive to achieve good ecological potential (and status) for our waterways. Context Many angling clubs feel marginalised in their relationship with the Trust and want to feel more valued as a customer. This action plan will serve to identify the priority issues that need to be addressed locally to strengthen relationships with existing clubs, to attract new clubs and lapsed and new angling customers. We aim to improve the angling experience, the fish stocks and the water environment on which fish, anglers and the food chain depends. The actions identified in this plan were those originally identified in the River Lee Fisheries Action Plan produced by the Environment Agency but adapted to align with the responsibilities of the Canal and River Trust. Some of the actions were also identified in feedback from a consultation meeting held on the 31 March 2015 with invitees from a wide range of clubs and organisations associated with fisheries and angling in the River Lee & Stort catchments. This has been supplemented with the fisheries and angling experience and technical knowledge of our fisheries and angling team. The actions are grouped by themes, listed below. 1. Retain existing angling customers and attracting new ones 2. Develop & improve access to the fishery. 3. The opportunities to engage with local communities. 4. Take advantage of the opportunities for volunteering & adoptions. 5. Improving communication between the Trust and its customers. 6. Funding. 7. Fish passage and migration. 8. Predation & non native species. 9. Fish stocks & fisheries management. 10. Fisheries and water quality and quantity.

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

Many of the actions identified in the plan will be delivered by a range of organisations: the Canal &River Trust's own teams - National Fisheries & Angling, the local Waterway, Environment and Fundraising teams -some by angling clubs and the Governing body, the Angling Trust, as well as Environment Agency, Rivers Trusts, Natural England, County Angling Action Groups, Sports Partnerships, local communities and individuals. Although the plan is a description of local actions, many of the actions rely on activity being carried out and delivered by the National Fisheries & Angling Team. Their work is of benefit to all eleven waterways with many common features. These are described in italics in each theme.

Implementation

The scale of ambition described in the plan is high. The key to delivery will be adopting a partnership approach and developing new income streams to deliver the identified actions. By working in partnership, we hope to be able to tap into a range of funding opportunities that may not be available to one of the partners on their own.

Inevitably, implementation of these plans will have to take account of funding opportunities available either through the Trusts’ 3 year business planning cycles or external funding opportunities. It is clear that some of the activities will be ongoing for a number of years and relatively few can start until the appropriate funding is in place. The importance of this is reflected in the plan identifying the need for new funding streams to enable implementation of this plan.

Fishing and fish stocks face a number of challenges in the catchment due to:

The extensive presence of overhead power lines limits fishing lengths

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

Lines of moored boats prevent access to fishing

The fish stocks are under pressure as a result of Illegal fishing methods, here by trapping

and by predation by piscivorous birds, here by cormorants.

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) Theme 1 - Retain existing angling customers and attracting new ones - we have a strategic priority for more people to enjoy using our canals and for them to offer people a range of benefits including acting as guardians of the waterways now and in the future. Specifically we want this plan to encourage more people to go fishing more often, to support the existing club structure and maintain our fisheries and angling income. 1 There is a lack of signage promoting Confirm the national CRT Liaise with clubs over Heritage Identify locations the provision of angling guidelines for design & wording sites and agree who will where signage is and make available the details of undertake installation required to the national contract i.e. waterway, or club Waterways Team & acting as volunteer NFAT. Local council & Improve club signage at: farmer consent  Lea Road may be required  Whitewater Centre  Waltham Town Lock  Windmill Lane Kings Arm &  Cadmore Lane Cheshunt AS  Aqueduct Lock 2 Facilitate increased understanding and cooperation across representatives of other towpath customers e.g. Anglers, Sustrans, cyclists, walkers to establish rapport, better understanding across

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) different waterway groups, and opportunities to work together on joint projects

 Event signage to warn/inform Develop a template sign/banner Issue advice notices via Communications Clubs to adopt and users in advance & on the day for use at angling matches to CRT notices & post on Press Office post at agreed inform other customers that a social media locations on site. competition is in progress, and make available to clubs

………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………….. …………………………………… ………………………. ………………………  Establish close links with user Ensuring regular attendance at Customer forum agenda Clubs to become groups including the angling Waterway user forums to include a Fisheries & actively involved in community, ensuring regular Angling component. customer forums representation at Waterway user forums …………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………. …………………………………….. ………………………… …………………………

 Towpath design, restoration & Input fisheries & angling needs Create safer towpaths Customer management into next update of towpath through a range of Services design manual or as part of measures including Project development of Customer education, awareness & managers Standards process physical improvements

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) Clubs to inform Cut back overgrowing WW of locations towpath vegetation to where vegetation improve line of sight and management improve visibility at necessary critical points.

Install extra signage in priority areas.

Identify joint projects to work together for the improvement of all users

…………………………………………………… ……………………………………. ………………………. ……………………….. Help communicate new towpath Implement towpath policy policy - ‘Better Towpath Clubs to share with for Everyone – a national members and policy for sharing identify potential towpaths’. volunteer towpath

rangers to promote safe and

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) considerate behaviour.

3 Flagship project – short term – Promote through CRT website & Support with on the River Lea Anglers Regional heat of Pairs Canal angling press ground works prior to Club Championship to be held on the River and during the event Angling Trust Lee on the 10 October 2015 Lee Valley RPA

Flagship project – medium term – Lead jointly with Environment Support & facilitate. Environment Clubs to name establish a working group of CRT/non team on developing & taking Manage volunteers representatives to CRT representatives to set up a project forward group & volunteers to research, map, control & manage to become involved. signal crayfish Cranfield University. Lee Valley RPA FAAP group 4 Run an annual fishing match between Promote through CRT website & Liaison with clubs Clubs to lead & take Rivers Lee & Stort Clubs & tenants with angling press forward & discuss a different club arranging and hosting local arrangements the event on their section with WW

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) 5 Improved safety & security to Implement regular patrols by the Implement regular Identify &assess overcome fear of crime and to Voluntary Bailiff Service (see patrols by CRT staff. high risk areas & increase personal safety, especially in Theme 4) nature of crimes, urban areas. Through Development & liaise with WW Engagement Manager develop options and opportunities with local communities, clubs, partners and police to identify solutions

6 We need to ensure that angling clubs Communicate to club members via WW to promote the use Communicate to are aware that they can use our e newsletter that these facilities of facilities (make club members that facilities (toilets) around the network. can be used. angling clubs aware of these facilities can locations) and make keys be used. available as required.

7 To encourage more people to fish Establish a programme with the Supporting & assisting Press Clubs to apply. more often, implement regional clubs in close partnership with the on the ground issues e.g. Fundraising Angling Trust component of National& Junior Canal Angling Trust; share information temporary towpath championship and other potential Competitions with waterway and diversions, event events e.g. National Lure canal Committee for championships communications teams; help notification etc

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) secure additional funding if National possible through Fundraising. Championships.

Canal Championship Committee.

8 To address the low participation rate Liaise with local partners to Link to Waterway Enterprise County Angling of young people in angling, develop an develop, identify funding & Engagement Plan to help Funding Action Groups annual angling participation plan availability of coaches focus on key locations & Angling Trust involving taster sessions at high Link to Waterway Engagement communities. Clubs footfall events and sites e.g. Festivals, Plan to help focus on key locations Sport England supported by an angling participation & communities Local authorities pathway County Sports Partnerships Schools Colleges 9 Development & distribution of a leaflet Set out design criteria & provide Waterway to support Communications Clubs to confirm describing local fishing opportunities content, including images. leaflet development & details at high footfall locations, known as Confirm details with affected clubs use at events & festivals. ‘Welcome Stations’

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) 10 Work with Polish, Lithuanian and In partnership with Angling Trust, Support & assist local Communications Clubs to see if they other migrant communities to discuss how this should be taken events & activities to can increase integrate & educate them into customs forward locally – aim to hold one spread message. membership by and practices of UK angling – adopt angling event per waterway Create photo incorporating the approach described in Angling opportunities & media eastern Europeans Trust Building Bridges project activity. into membership, and make use of free signs on Angling Trust website - anti fish theft poster and multi lingual signs on fishery laws; Incident reporting and Angling Trust involvement and support can come from contacting radoslaw.papiewsk [email protected] 11 Development of customer service Fisheries management technical Contribute to Customer Service National Angling standards for fisheries & angling advice. development of CSS team Advisory nationally. Group(NAAG) consultation

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) 12 Open up sections of canal where Lobby for its removal at locations Support national team & Environment Environment angling is not currently permitted e.g. where the towpath is available for clubs. Agency a close season applies because of the other CRT customers Natural England

presence of a Site of Special Scientific Interest

13 Open up sections of canal where Undertake site specific risk Waterway to be involved H&S team to risk Clubs to inform angling is not currently permitted e.g. assessment with local H&S adviser. in site specific risk assess with local NFAT of sites that due to presence of power lines assessment & implement electricity require Subject to satisfactory outcome, agreed measures on the company & NFAT investigating reinstate the fishery. ground. Represent CRT on National Overhead Power lines and safety working group 14 Promote, using improved Produce articles for CRT website & Local clubs come communication tools, new ‘fashions’ in social media. forward to be angling e.g. lure fishing. Open dialogue with clubs on how involved. to take forward. Lure Canal Angling Discuss implications with local Society waterway teams

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

Towpaths are a multi use environment where consideration of others for all users is important. Our new towpath policy1 (action 2) seeks better infrastructure, better signs and better behaviour; the policy states that ‘in general priority should be given to the slowest and those using the waterway’. The policy is supported by a code, see below:

Towpath Code

Our towpath code is a common sense guide to sharing the towpath and what to expect of others. At its heart is the Trust’s Share the Space, Drop your Pace slogan, a registered trademark.

Share the space – towpaths are popular places to be enjoyed by everyone. Please be mindful of others, keep dogs under control, and clean up after them.

Drop your pace – pedestrians have priority on our towpaths so be ready to slow down; if you’re in a hurry, consider using an alternative route for your journey.

It’s a special place – our waterways are a living heritage with boats, working locks and low bridges so please give way to waterway users and be extra careful where visibility is limited.

1 Better Towpaths for Everyone, A national policy for sharing towpaths; Canal & River Trust, 2015.

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Partner or Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Angling Club (Ext) (Other) Theme 2 – Develop & improve access to the fishery - anglers need safe and secure car parking and safe access onto and along the towpath to their fishing pegs, meeting the needs of disabled anglers where possible and reasonable. The towpath is managed as a multi use environment where all customers must acknowledge the needs of others. 15 Better access and parking – clubs to Facilitate & support Register locations to be Planning Clubs to engage with CRT bring forward locations where access improved following Estates to highlight locations & parking is not sufficient for receipt of information Legal where parking limited discussion with local Waterway team from clubs. particularly at critical & to identify new opportunities on CRT Arrange site visits as times. and non CRT owned land. required. E mail WW& NFAT on Follow up on feedback at the following Arrange into work critical locations where locations: programmes/schedule as access needs improving.  Ponders end car park appropriate.  Waltham Common lock Development & Clubs to report to  Cadmore Lane Engagement Manager to waterway any accidents to  Rammey Marsh lock engage with local members as a result of interests to identify access in poor condition. potential opportunities. Assistance with local Lee Valley RPA landowner details

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Partner or Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Angling Club (Ext) (Other) 16 Identify opportunities, options and Take forward with WW to assess Liaison with NFAT, clubs H&S Clubs to bring forward practicalities of establishing moorings feasibility Boating priority locations under overhead cable locations where angling is currently restricted or not allowed. This would free up currently moored locations for angling 17 Adoption of permanent peg numbers Provide fisheries management Support volunteers work Environment Identify volunteers to carry so these are clearly defined on the technical advice & provide materials & out fishery to allow the club to carry out training where local vegetation management appropriate. throughout the year to ensure the peg is fishable. 18 Produce a standard design for angling Contract National Fisheries Input into design Environment Adopt design when platforms which satisfies the needs of management Contractor to proposals available the Trust and its customers produce 19 Take opportunities to incorporate NFAT to consider as part of Waterway to consider as Planning Clubs to respond to improved access and parking for internal consultations on planning part of internal Environment planning applications angling in planning applications. applications received by the Trust consultations on highlighting need for planning applications community access received by the Trust

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) Theme 3 - The opportunities to engage with local communities - we believe there are mutual benefits in promoting & achieving greater support to care for the local environment and support the Trust. Angling has proven ability to deliver community benefits, improved health & well being, social inclusion and outcomes for young people. 20 Maximise opportunities for public Provision of fisheries & angling Identify timings & Communications Local clubs invited involvement at Trust Open days to exhibition material using national locations to NFAT. & to provide promote fisheries and angling fisheries management contractor, volunteers staff & volunteers

21 Establish a programme of Fish Rescue Identify suitable locations. Liaise with NFAT over Education help Offer volunteers to Education open days – FREDs. Plan relevant structure & content drain down programme with preparation help out if required of days, and deliver as required in once confirmed by & promotion & conjunction with fisheries National delivery teams. running of the Promote days and management framework programme opportunities for contractor. involvement Communications - promotion & publicity.

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) Theme 4 – Take advantage of the opportunities for volunteering & adoptions – fisheries & angling interests already make a valuable contribution to the network. We believe there are more opportunities if we can harness the interest, enthusiasm and commitment of anglers, angling clubs and fisheries interests by working in partnership. 22 In partnership with the Environment Manage the Voluntary Bailiff Be aware of new service Promote and Agency and the Angling Trust, roll out service volunteers Establish rapport and encourage the Voluntary Bailiffing Service as part relationships volunteers to take of managing Waterway Wanderers Develop training programme with part to achieve scheme. Angling Trust access to warranted Represent the Trust on the Angling officers. Note – individuals do not have to be an Trust & Environment Agency VBS Angling Trust angler to take part in this scheme. Board Environment Agency 23 Recognise & formalise the existing Review current volunteering effort Develop volunteering Volunteering NAAG consultation volunteering effort carried out by to distinguish between contractual opportunities alongside team to on policy & angling clubs. obligations as set out in NFAT. contribute to opportunity to agreements and additional activity Keep records of development grow volunteering which could be classified as volunteering effort and volunteering. provide regularly to NFAT 24 Assess how angling clubs can increase Produce & promote guidance on Facilitate and manage Environment Clubs to engage their Volunteering contribution to help how angling clubs can contribute local delivery National with membership & maintaining the canal infrastructure to CRT objectives on volunteering, Volunteering public on the and help improve habitats for fish and including running workshops. opportunities other wildlife Technical guidance for fisheries management aspects

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) 25 Introduce an annual volunteer of the Set up criteria & process for Support with local Volunteering Support process for year award in recognition of identification. feedback & knowledge. identification. outstanding contribution to Seek nominations maintaining & improving CRT Fisheries once introduced. & Angling interests 26 Recruit volunteer mooring wardens to Work with boating & enforcement Boating -enforce Club volunteers to assist the boating team with to identify role for volunteering by new regulations be trained if role overstaying continuous cruisers & angling clubs to check overstaying relating to agreed with other mooring issues boats on different types of continuous relevant teams. moorings. cruising. Enforcement 27 Review the standard angling Implement changes as new Legal agreement to ensure it is kept up to agreements are renewed date with new developments e.g. changes in legislation, volunteering.

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) Theme 5 – Improving communications between the Trust and its angling customers - we recognise we need to improve our dialogue with anglers and fisheries interests, raise awareness of the benefits of fisheries & angling to a wider audience and a better appreciation and awareness amongst different users of the aspirations, impacts and shared opportunities that exist across them all. 28 'Meet the teams' who deliver locally - publicize key local waterway team Pass local club details on to WW Provide contact details Clubs to update members and contact details and to clubs details as required make readily available to clubs to aid improved communication and information sharing; clubs to provide and update information to NFAT team

29 Improve local communication between Provide fisheries management WW team to provide Clubs to keep the waterway and local angling clubs technical advice. routes for contact details up over events, incidents, and future communication. to date with NFAT & works programmes and ensure angling Development & engage when given clubs are included in the consultation Engagement Manager to the opportunity. process as part of wider stakeholder take forward for local consultation on planning issues. stakeholder consultation. Waterway Forums need (see also action 61 – environmental to include anglers as appraisal policy) invitees and a fisheries and angling section on the agenda

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) 30 Angling clubs to notify their local Periodically remind customers of Waterway to issue Clubs to inform Events Coordinator of all forthcoming the benefits and mechanism for Customer Advice Notice events coordinator angling related events in order to notification & help promote once as appropriate. reduce the risk of clashing with other informed by Events Where a fishing competing events. Coordinator. competition is planned with 100 or more competitors complete the formal event application process to the Waterway Event Coordinator. (Clause 4.1.9 of standard agreement)

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) 31 Continuation of a River Lee & Stort Facilitate & support with WW. WW to nominate Representatives FAAP Steering Group comprised of 4-5 representative to attend from angling Clubs members representing the range of steering group meetings River Trusts the geographic area; to act as Angling Trust ambassadors for the FAAP, promote to CAAGs partnership Board & advise on Environment business planning priorities Agency Lee Valley RPA

32 Consider the establishment of an Compile list of guest speakers to Support from Representatives annual Fisheries & Angling customer help make forums more attractive Development & from angling Clubs forum to highlight forthcoming work & to new audiences Engagement Manager River Trusts receive feedback on the fishery. Angling Trust

33 Improvements to the Fisheries & Angling website with improved layout Web team & content, photographs, ease of

navigation & to include: Clubs to provide - Introduction of a weekly fisheries & match result and catch data, angling update of events, matches & Promote opportunity to clubs. forthcoming events their results and news. to NFAT volunteer(Tony

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) Keeling) on a weekly basis …………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………….. …………………… …………………………

- More club information & increased Lead on collection of data connectivity between them.

- details of licenced water

…………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………. ……………………. ………………………… Smithhill School - new pages to include fish species Work with partners to collect Environment John Essex guide, looking after our fish, learn to material MEM Fisheries

fish, the history & heritage of angling

……………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………… ………………….. …………………………….

- how to report an emergency Lead on collection of material - common questions & answers Make waterway Code of Practice available on the website

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) 34 Work with partners to develop a Lead on the development of Web team to Smithills School, national web based teaching material with specialist support as help promote Bolton programme as a basic introduction to required from the NAAG subgroup. Environment Angling Trust NAAG canal fishing

35 Promote and adopt social media Adopt these tools routinely for CRT Encourage and platforms e.g. Twitter, Facebook communications. adopt new Encourage take up in clubs. communications Arrange suitable training for channels angling clubs who express an Publicize and interest. encourage training opportunities and benefits 36 Production & Promotion of Fisheries & Manage production process. Clubs to encourage Angling e newsletter Build up and maintain database of members to sign up contacts. to receive, provide feedback and ideas for future content 37 Explore opportunities for increased Set up regular contact with EA. Clubs to bring partnership working with the Promote work in newsletters forward potential Environment Agency to increase the projects profile of each organisation, their work and future project opportunities.

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) 38 Improved promotion of fisheries & Liaise with Communications Team Take opportunities to angling locally e.g. Waterway offices regarding fisheries and angling include fisheries & and externally benefits, and provide material angling content in which endorses this approach. printed, display and Investigate opportunities to exhibition material promote fisheries & angling benefits to ‘Friends of the Trust’ Target the biggest clubs locally to build rapport and improved relationships. 39 Develop materials for a specialist Develop materials. Volunteering Clubs to seek fisheries & angling stand for CRT Develop & train a team of volunteers events volunteers to help man an exhibition stand. Seek volunteers through clubs and newsletter. 40 Communication with non-anglers to Provide material and advertorials Waterway to promote Environment Provide local stories achieve a broader understanding of to other sources e.g. boating and understanding through and information to the benefits that fisheries & angling waterway, cycling, walking its network and partners support magazines and websites. using national material. provide. Provide guidance to internal teams on the benefits of angling and nature and importance of fisheries

as aquatic ecosystems.

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) Attend other Waterway Customer group meetings and Forums, Partnership Boards; provide expert guidance, advice and support, presentations. Run angling taster days for CRT staff, Partnership Board, volunteers.

41 Communication with public on the Provide Fisheries & Angling G. Boxer, Head of J. Essex history & heritage of fisheries & information to the waterway Museums angling museums to promote history, current and future use.

Develop & promote Welcome Station Leaflet locally

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or (Other) Angling Club (Ext) Theme 6 - Funding - we know that by working in partnership to realise the extensive benefits angling can provide that we can attract funding to deliver angling projects. We will need to be innovative in seeking new funding opportunities. 42 Through collective and cooperative Provide fisheries management Development & Fundraising Clubs to identify working across clubs identify common technical guidance Engagement Manager to Environment work areas, needs and actions and develop Support bid writing through develop & deliver Enterprise cooperate, agree packages of projects against which National Angling Development projects at waterway priorities and funding bids can be built Manager level. help write bids. Local Authority Environment Agency Sport England Lee Valley RPA 43 Encourage clubs to develop project Support bids which meet the Waterway to be kept Fundraising Angling Trust proposals to improve fisheries & criteria laid out by Angling Trust informed of proposals to Environment increase participation and to bid for avoid duplication. Agency funds from the Angling Trust Fishery All clubs Improvement Fund 44 NFAT to propose projects to improve Support bids which meet the Develop & propose local Fundraising Clubs to bring fisheries & increase participation criteria laid out projects in discussion Enterprise forward through funds bid from the CRT Friends with NFAT. suggestions Fund which meet the criteria

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or (Other) Angling Club (Ext) 45 Encourage clubs to develop project Support bids which meet the Fundraising Sport England proposals to improve fisheries & criteria laid out by Sport England Enterprise Angling Trust increase participation and to bid for Environment funds from the Sport England Small Agency Grants fund and Inspired Facilities Fund 46 Develop new income streams where Provide expertise to fundraising Fundraising NAAG advice possible e.g. evolution of Waterway team so that potential friends Wanderers scheme into Angling product is appropriate for likely Friends. friends customer base. 47 Organize local appeals to raise funds Identify suitable projects Take the lead on local Fundraising Clubs to identify for small local projects that will make appeals. possible projects a difference to the lives of local people and wildlife 48 Make clubs aware that waterway Put details on Fisheries & Angling Web wanderers water is available to rent. website

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or (Other) Angling Club (Ext) Theme 7 - Fish passage and migration - we will continue to identify structures that are barriers to fish migration and which are limiting fish spawning and distribution. The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 sets standards for a broader definition of water quality including ecological issues such as fish passage to be achieved by 2027 through a series of 6-yearly Plans. The Trust is required to “have regard to” the actions set out in the Plans; The Eels Regulations 2009 give the Environment Agency powers to serve notice requiring construction of eel passes to provide access to habitat for elvers or access to the sea for mature eels. We will need to work with a range of statutory and non statutory partners to develop proposals on a site by site basis including identifying possible funding sources. 49 Investigate options and opportunities Promote & raise Environment - Environment to improve fish passage at sites Review list of structures from awareness with partners. lead Agency notified to us by the Environment Environment team to confirm Operations & Rivers Trusts Agency under the Water Framework presence/absence of these. Assets Riparian Owners Directive regulations, where 'good Enterprise Natural England status' for fish stocks cannot be Prioritise across CRT and EA Fundraising Clubs achieved because of barriers to fish: Provide fisheries management Heritage Lee Navigation technical advice - Fixed Weir 12 Consult with clubs - Fixed Weir 11, Fieldes Weir Support programmes of work to - Weir (Converted Sluice) King's allow fish movement over Weir identified barriers to migration. - Fixed Weir 8, Carthagena Weir - Fixed Weir 9, Dobbs Weir

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or (Other) Angling Club (Ext) Stort Navigation - Fixed Weir (Backstream) - Fixed Weir Backwater - Fixed Weir 14 (Previously Sluice 8A) 50 Investigate options and opportunities Review list of structures from Promote & raise Environment - Environment at sites notified to us by the Environment team. awareness with partners. lead Agency Environment Agency as “Critical” sites Prioritise across CRT & EA Operations & Rivers Trusts for eel passage under the Eels Assets Riparian Owners Regulations : Fisheries management technical Enterprise Natural England - River Lee advice. Fundraising Clubs - Three Mills Lock & Sluice Consult with clubs. Heritage - Bow Locks Support programmes of work to allow fish movement over identified barriers to migration. 51 Identify &implement opportunities to increase access for elvers and d/s migration of adult eels. Thames 21  Operate elver passes at Maintain in good repair Environment Volunteers Bow Locks and Lea Bridge using Alert WW for maintenance/repair Environment volunteers when required Agency

Discuss with partners & sign off

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or (Other) Angling Club (Ext)  Implement elver management plan for Lea Bridge elver pass

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

The elver pass at Bow Locks needs regular maintenance to allow for the passage of elvers at critical times of the years – action 51

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) Theme 8 – Predation & non native species - predation and the presence of non native species can both impact on the ability of anglers to carry out their sport and have an adverse impact on the ecology of the waterbody. We need to better understand the distribution of all these species, work with experts to identify control options and limit their spread. Angling clubs can take advantage of the volunteering options that this theme offers in particular. 52 Ensure all waterway customers and all Lead communication with clubs Adopt the ‘check, clean Boating Clubs to CRT routine day to day activities do not and include in routine and dry’ message Communications communicate with spread non native species communications e.g. newsletter, to Environment members encourage adoption of the ‘check, Environment clean and dry’ message, and All Trust teams incorporate into environmental that work in the appraisal process field. 53 Improve knowledge on distribution of Use e newsletter to publicize Implement control Fundraising - Report incidents of the range of non natives plants opportunities, including methods options where required Identify funding non natives to (bankside & aquatic), invertebrates for identification & ways to limit using staff, contractors needs and NFAT. (e.g. signal crayfish, killer shrimp, their spread. or volunteers as sources. Seek volunteers to quagga mussels), piscivorous birds and Log reports of presence and pass necessary. Environment help with control fish on to Environment. options where Work with Environment & the Work with clubs to identify & use agreed with CRT Waterway to publicize the presence of volunteers to implement actions. non native plants & animals, encourage participation in actions to help reduce their spread, record & report their presence and take part in

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) control options using volunteers where possible 54 Manage the control options for Log information available. Environment. cormorants Liaise with Environment Team.

Consult with local fishing clubs and waterway teams and seek advice, input & support from Fisheries Angling Trust Management Advisors of Angling Natural England Trust on catchment approach and Local clubs techniques to use. Environment Agency. - Authorise the use of non lethal techniques for scaring, on a waterway basis, to reduce the impact of piscivorous birds on fish stocks where CRT owns fishing rights, in consultation with other regulatory bodies, partners and fishing clubs

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) 55 Manage the control options for non Log information available. Environment native crayfish Liaise with Environment Team Angling Trust Approve requests for applications Natural England for crayfish trapping to the Local clubs Environment Agency on CRT Environment owned/managed fisheries, Agency. including ongoing research on the River Lee. 56 Manage the control options for certain Log information available. Environment Clubs to inform non native fish species Liaise with Environment team. NFAT of non native e.g. zander, bitterling, Assess & agree management species catfish,topmouth gudgeon, motherless options in discussion with Environment minnow, grass carp, ide , sturgeon regulatory authorities. Agency Implement action as required Defra. 57 Improved information on otter Offer support to Colne consultative Environment Colne consultative populations & their impact on fish monitoring otter stocks populations

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

The River Lee contains a number of non native animals and plants:

Signal crayfish are abundant and are the focus for one of our flagship projects (Action 3)

Mossops Creek, Brimsdown choked with pennywort and heavily silted, makes fishing impossible. This creates a risk of pennywort easily spreading to the River Lee Navigation

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) Theme 9 – Fish stocks & fisheries management - good fishing relies on having healthy fish populations. Fish provide the basis of an extensive food web and several protected species rely on fish for their food. We will strive to maintain the standards set by legislation including for those fish and sites with special protection. 58 Fish stocks are reported as poor. An Develop a methodology for Environment Environment Agency increased understanding of existing collection of fisheries data, Thames 21 fish stocks is required: including option of using match Local clubs to inform - for their better catch data, and scale sampling Tony Keeling protection and restoration , collection (tonykeeling.angling including recording presence of @ntlworld.com) of protected species Collate fish population data from their match results - To assess impacts of fisheries management activities weekly cormorants, otters, mink, e.g. fish rescues carried out by zander, and report data to Fisheries Term Contractor, & clubs and water users. provide data to EA where - To identify species requested. sensitive to environmental change e.g. barbel and take Provide advice & feedback to local action to protect them and waterway teams and angling clubs their habitats. on the quality of the local fish stocks

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

Some of our common river fish, some of which are protected by legislation

Eel Barbel

Perch Chub 38

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Angling Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Partner or Team (NFAT) Waterway Team CRT team Angling Club (Ext) (WW) (Other) 59 Obtain & review EA fisheries Review data to identify status of Environment Be involved in discussions population data for the Rivers Lee & fish populations and make Environment Agency Stort Navigation. recommendations for action accordingly. Discuss with clubs 60 Improve access for barbel to a well known barbel spawning site on the Liaise with WW to action required To include in Environment Environment Agency backstream at Kings weir, River Lee work vegetation Navigation – open up, remove excess management once vegetation agreed with NFAT

61 Ensure the fishery resource including Develop the Fisheries & Angling Implement the Environment Clubs to communicate with protected species and sites, is section of the Environmental Environmental WW over local works protected from potential adverse Appraisal Policy. Appraisal Policy to impact e.g. dredging, vegetation protect habitats management, water level lowering, Publicize & raise awareness to during routine fish rescues & pollutions, spawning ensure compliance. maintenance works habitat protection; ensure appropriate and improve mitigation is implemented when Implement training programme communication with damage is unavoidable. for CRT operatives who undertake clubs over fisheries small scale fish rescues as part of and angling issues, vegetation

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Angling Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Partner or Team (NFAT) Waterway Team CRT team Angling Club (Ext) (WW) (Other) Protected species to be protected are: lock stoppages – to include use of management and 3rd . eel, bullhead, crucian carp, spined pumps in locks guidance. party works, and loach, brook & river lamprey, brown monitor to identify trout, Twaite & Allis shad, salmon reduction in incidents. Review operating procedures as necessary. 62 Implement a strategic habitat enhancement programme to reverse the historic degradation due to urbanisation and past management practice  Undertake strategic river surveys e.g. RHS, walkover Liaise with across CRT teams to Manage volunteers. Environment Clubs to see if volunteers surveys identify opportunities Facilitate & engage available  Discuss results and with improvements Environment Agency identify opportunities with key where possible. local groups  Develop & implement Facilitate & engage appropriate management with improvements strategies e.g. habitat where possible using improvements Trust teams & volunteers

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Angling Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Partner or Team (NFAT) Waterway Team CRT team Angling Club (Ext) (WW) (Other) 63 Explore the reinstatement of reed rafts Arrange site visit to review Site visit & options Environment Site meeting & options at Enfield options. appraisal. appraisal Discuss with club & waterway Plan actions business planning cycle 64 Carry out elver stocking as agreed with Provide fisheries management Environment the Environment Agency technical advice 65 Identify sources of fish for restocking Crop fisheries (canal & stillwaters) Environment Agency and undertake a national programme not used for fishing or removal of of restocking meeting local priorities fish non target fisheries. where possible, ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements at all Seek sources of 3rd party stock fish Clubs to bring forward times e.g. ILFA licencing, EA holder site to be donated to CRT. possible sources of fish permits, CEFAS regulations 66 Reduce and prevent fish theft & the Log feedback from voluntary bailiff Support by reporting Act as eyes & Clubs to act as eyes & ears use of illegal methods to catch fish service, other teams and the any incidents ears. on the ground. public. observed. Log & report any incidents Liaise with EA over possible observed. actions. Environment Agency Highlight illegal methods on the Lee Valley Regional Park website. 67 Creating opportunities for high quality Identify opportunity, liaise with Offer input & support Lure Canal Angling Society specialist fishing opportunities e.g. lure local clubs to encourage with local waterway fishing – London FAAP Regents canal. opportunities. knowledge & actions

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Angling Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Partner or Team (NFAT) Waterway Team CRT team Angling Club (Ext) (WW) (Other) Manage the fish stocks to support identified fishery

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) Theme 10 - Fisheries and water quality and quantity - good fish stocks rely on having adequate levels of water quality and quantity. We will work with partners to identify solutions and take forward actions where these are not of sufficient standard. 68 Improve the understanding of the Facilitate & support Environment Offer volunteers if water quality status and its Fisheries management technical action requires communication with user groups advice them.  Review existing data to identify gaps in knowledge Environment  Implement increased Agency monitoring in selected areas  Communicate plans and reports regularly 69 Identify & record incidents of storm Fisheries management technical Environment - Club to act as eyes discharges from CSOs, urban run off advice Inform NFAT of and ears and report and storm water discharges incidents likely any incidents of Identify main sources of to cause distress pollution, misconnections. or death of fish distressed & dead fish to EA (0800 807060) & CRT Fisheries & Angling/Environme nt teams. Clubs to inform Environment team and Environment

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) Agency if pollution apparent but no fish in distress 70 Identify options & opportunities to Facilitate & support. Environment Environment improve water quality and prevent fish Provide fisheries management Agency - Operate deaths technical advice aerators at Lea  Install aeration Bridge equipment  Influence water companies, LA, EA to influence contents of Asset management plans  Review current local knowledge of the impact of endocrine disrupters on fish stocks 71 Investigate reports of possible poor Provide fisheries management Environment Environment water quality at: technical advice Agency  above Stonebridge Lock to Tottenham Lock potentially caused by boat owners  Turkey Lock confluence to Ponders End caused by 'run off'

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

No. Action Role of the CRT Fisheries & Role of the CRT Role of other Role of External Angling Team (NFAT) Waterway Team (WW) CRT team Partner or Angling (Other) Club (Ext) pollutants entering from the brook 72 Clarity on who to contact in the event Promote externally reporting Liaise with NFAT during Club to act as eyes of fish being in distress or dead routes via angling newsletter & on incident and help and ears and report NFAT website implement any necessary any incidents of actions locally pollution, distressed Internally, ensure internal & dead fish to EA colleagues are aware that NFAT (0800 807060) & are informed when fish are CRT Fisheries & reported as distressed/dead - Angling/Environme through environmental section of nt teams. Toolbox Talk, Source, EIA process Clubs to inform Environment team and Environment Agency if pollution apparent but no fish in distress 73 Represent fisheries interests at key low Provide fisheries management Environment Environment flow groups & discussions. technical advice Hydrology Agency

River Lee & Stort Fisheries & Angling Action Plan

Fisheries & Angling in the Trust. – A National Overview

 The Trust is responsible for looking after over 2000 miles of canal and river fisheries (aquatic ecosystems in which fish can live) and around 70 reservoir fisheries.  Lead by the Fisheries & Angling team, the Trust is responsible for the protection of the £40 million worth of fish stocks present in our fisheries.  This is essential both for the health of the wider ecosystem and the organisms that depend on fish for food and also, equally importantly for the sport of angling.  We own the fishing rights on the majority of our fisheries, making us the largest owners of fishing rights in the UK.  We currently have 224 angling club customers on the canal network. These clubs have a combined membership of around 61,000.  We have around 30 stillwater and reservoir club customers. These clubs have a combined membership of 20,000 members.  We directly manage nine reservoirs and estimate that around 20,000 different individuals visit these reservoirs each year.  We have an annual income of circa £550k which we seek to maintain and increase  The volunteer bailiffing effort is valued at around £1.5 million p.a.  We launched our angling strategy ‘Be Inspired, Go Fishing’ in September 2013 to get more people going fishing more often and to increase the wider benefits we know angling can provide.

The National Fisheries & Angling Team The National Fisheries & Angling Team comprises a  National Fisheries & Angling Manager - John Ellis  Fisheries & Angling Manager - Carl Nicholls  Fisheries & Angling manager – Paul Breslin  Fisheries Co-ordinator - Barbara Wilder

The Role of the National Fisheries and Angling Team

 Negotiation and management of the legal arrangements between customer clubs and the Trust  Day to day client management of all the angling club customers  Management of the Trusts commercial fisheries portfolio  Management of the Waterway Wanderers scheme.  The development and ongoing management of Fisheries & Angling Action Plans  Contract management of the fisheries management framework term contract.  Management of the Trusts fish restocking programme.  Management and responsibility of the planned and emergency fish rescues including those associated with dredging and pollutions.  Development of the sport of angling and angling management.  Management of external and partner relations including the Advisory group, Angling Trust, Rivers Trusts, Environment Agency & APPAG.