Fisheries Report

2012

Environment Agency

River Tud 2012

FISHERIES REPORT

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Fisheries Report River Tud 2012

The River Tud originates from chalk outcrops near Shipdham in Norfolk at a height of 65 metres above sea level. Flowing easterly for 24 kilometres, the River Tud descends 55 metres before its confluence with the River Wensum. Average river gradient is therefore 2.29 metres km-1. Two physical barriers exist along the watercourse: one between the Berry Hall and A47 sites while the other lies between Hill Farm and Costessey gravel works. Both barriers are classed as moderate to fish migration.

Figure 1: Location of the River Tud, Catchment, 8 survey sites and recommended fishing sites 2012.

Results for fish caught over 99 mm fork-length (FL) from the eight sites shown on the map form the basis of this report, Surveys took place between May and June, 2012 using PDC electro-fishing methodology. Only data for fish over 99 mm FL are analysed in depth as electro-fishing is inefficient below this band.

Thirteen fish species caught during the surveys constitute the River Tud Piscean community in 2012. Brown Trout account for 68 % of the 584 individual fish caught throughout the surveys. Mean overall fish density (number of fish in an area) of 13.9 individuals 100 m-2 recorded in 2012 is marginally lower than the 2009 value of 14.1 individuals 100 m-2. Mean Trout density recorded in 2012 (8.9 individuals 100 m-2) increased by 29% compared to the 2009 value (6.9 individuals 100 m-2) and is the highest value recorded to date. Eel density in 2012 (0.20 individuals 100 m-2) shows a reduction of 46% compared to 2009 (0.46 individuals 100 m-2).

The average standing crop (weight of fish in a given area) decreased from the 2009 value of 1444 g 100 m-2 to the 2012 value of 1188 g 100 m-2 ; a reduction of 17%.

Density composition 2012 (>99 mm) Standing crop composition 2012 (>99 mm)

2% 2% 1% 2% Brown / sea 4% 5% trout 8% 9% Dace

Chub 13%

17% Roach

64% European eels > elvers 73% Others

Pie charts representing percentage density and standing crop of fish sampled in the River Tud between 15th May and 26th June 2012. (Other species are Pike, Brook Lamprey, Gudgeon and Stone loach).

Figure 2: Historic mean density of six fish species (1988 ~ 2012)

16 eel dace 14 brown trout

12 chub

) 2 - roach

10 pike 100 m 100

6 density (individuals density

0 1985 1990 1995 date(year) 2000 2005 2010

Since 2002, mean brown trout density has increased from 1.8 individuals 100 m-2 to a high of 8.9 individuals 100 m-2 in 2012. This corresponds to 64 % of the overall average density from the 2012 surveys.

Mean eel density decreased by 50% between 2009 (0.485 individuals 100 m-2) and 2012 (0.265 individuals 100 m-2). The 2012 density represents the lowest density recorded since 1988 (8.9 individuals 100 m-2) and a 98% decrease compared to the highest density recorded in 1992 (14.5 individuals 100 m-2).

Roach density increased by 50% comparing 2009 and 2012 values while pike density remained stable over the same period.

Dace density (2.4 individuals 100 m-2) demonstrated a decrease of 36% compared to 2009 and is the lowest value recorded since 1988.

Chub density increased from the 2009 value of 1.1 individuals 100 m-2 to 1.26 individuals 100 m-2 in 2012. This represents an increase of 16%.

Figure 3: Historic standing crop of six fish species (1988 ~ 2012)

2500 eel

dace

brown trout 2000

chub

) )

2 - roach

100 m 100 1500 pike grammes

1000 standing crop ( crop standing 500

0 1986 1991 1996 date (year) 2001 2006 2011

Eel standing crop reflects the alarming decline noted in density. The 2012 value of eel standing crop (27.17 grammes 100 m-2) represents a 99% reduction compared to the highest standing crop value recorded in 1992 of 2235 grammes 100 m-2.

Brown trout standing crop recorded in 2012 decreased by 25 grammes 100 m-2 (3 %) compared to the highest value recorded in 2009 (896.1 grammes per 100 m2)

From Table 1

The largest fish from the surveys include a 385 mm (1 lb 1 oz) brown trout from Berry Hall along with a 358 mm (14 oz) brown trout from Rotten Row.

One hundred and forty two individual brown trout ranging in size from 107 mm to 282 mm (up to eight ozs) were caught from downstream of the A47 road bridge at Honingham.

Five different species of fish caught from Rogers Farm including the largest chub (300 mm: 13 ozs), roach and pike. Rogers Farm was the only site where pike and roach were caught.

Table 1 Largest individual and species population estimate (>99mm) are recorded for brown trout, chub, dace, pike and roach at site level in the table below.

Brown trout Chub Dace Roach Pike number 67 largest mm 293 U/S Whitford rd Bridge grammes 240 lb oz 0 9

number 40 mm 358 Rotten Row grammes 405 lb oz 0 14

number 31 1 mm 385 129 Berry Hall grammes 490 26 lb oz 1 1 0 1

number 142 1 mm 282 136 D/S A47 Honingham grammes 217 37 lb oz 0 8 0 2

number 56 11 mm 325 233 D/S Honingham Church grammes 315 160 lb oz 0 11 0 6

number 69 2 mm 281 207 U/S Hill Farm Bridge grammes 215 101 lb oz 0 8 0 4

number 20 6 10 mm 234 167 178 Costessey gravel works grammes 133 67 70 lb oz 0 9 0 3 0 3

number 39 48 76 27 1 mm 344 300 208 200 302 Rogers Farm grammes 365 363 113 147 215 lb oz 0 12 0 13 0 5 0 5 0 8

Preliminary assessment: The River Tud unlike most Norfolk Rivers exhibits a moderate gradient with few obstructions to flow. This provides a hydraulic regime that favours rheophilic species such as brown trout and dace. The present fish community reflects this. Although hardly mentioned, the smaller species: bullhead, stone loach, minnow and stickleback are well represented throughout the watercourse, inferring suitable water quality, quantity and habitat for those species.

The sites surveyed since 1988 demonstrate the changing fish community of the River Tud.

Until 2002, eels constituted the main species present in the watercourse. However, eel have been experiencing a Europe-wide decline thought to be due to climatic and anthropomorphic factors. The River Tud has not escaped this trend and today eels should be considered a minority species in the River Tud. The EA are working hard to reverse the decline in eel populations.

Dace numbers and standing crop have declined over the monitoring period. Ageing data from scale analysis indicates a slower than expected growth rate for River Tud dace in comparison to the species standard in southern waters. This observation also applies to chub and brown trout in the River Tud. Scale ageing data from dace caught in 2012 could indicate poor dace recruitment as all dace specimens caught during the surveys were over three years old.

In contrast to dace, brown trout have successfully spawned for the last five years in the watercourse. This is based on the length of captured specimens and is further supported by scale ageing data. This indicates suitable spawning habitat, good water quality and quantity and habitat availability for this species.

Pike and perch populations fluctuate temporally and spatially for the River Tud. Perch especially are scarce while pike numbers rarely exceed double figures for the entire watercourse. Historic data suggests perch are not suited to the watercourse with few specimens recorded since monitoring began.

Where to fish? (Green circles on map) For the most part land adjacent to the River Tud is private. A short stretch of bank adjacent to the Shallowbrook fishery is available for the price of a day ticket. Survey results indicate that native brown trout and dace would repay those willing to try here. A further stretch below the popular picnic area of the old red bridge down to the intersection of Marriott’s Way is available as free fishing. This picturesque stretch like the previously mentioned area should provide native brown trout and dace as the main species to target along with chub, roach and pike. In addition, a further short stretch adjoining the recreation ground at the bottom of Longwater Lane, Costessey is free fishing.

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