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Non-Native Fish Species Survey Using Boat Electro-Fishing in the Spey and Dee Catchments

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Non-Native Fish Species Survey Using Boat Electro-Fishing in the Spey and Dee Catchments Non-Native Fish Species Survey Using Boat Electro-fishing in the Spey and Dee Catchments R. Laughton*, A. Hudson** and N. Sherwood*** Spey Research Report 03/06 *Spey Research Trust, 1 Nether Borlum Cottage, Knockando, Morayshire AB38 7SD. Tel 01340810841, Fax 01340 810842, email [email protected] **Dee District Fishery Board, Mill of Dinnet, Dinnet, Aboyne, AB34 5LA. Tel 01339 885241 *** Stellar Environmental, 1 Main Street, Aystone, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 9AE. Tel 01572 821810 Prepared for Cairngorms National Park Authority Grantown on Spey Morayshire March 2006 CONTENTS Page List of Tables 3 List of Figures 3 Summary 5 Objectives 6 1 Introduction 7 3 Method 7 3 Results 9 3.1 Skating Pond, Grantown 9 3.2 Nethy Pool - Frankies Corner, Mainstem Spey 13 3.3 Loch Beag and the Bogach 13 3.4 Loch Alvie Angling Record 17 3.5 Lochs Davan and Kinord 17 4 Conclusions and Recommendations 22 5 Summary of Recommendations 27 Acknowledgements 28 References 29 2 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: The fish species caught and catch per unit effort (fish.min -1) in the Skating Pond Grantown, 29 th May 2005. Table 2: The fish species caught and catch per unit effort (fish.min -1) in Loch Beag and the Bogach 30 th May 2005. Table 3: The fish species caught and catch per unit effort (fish.min -1) in Lochs Davan and Kinord. LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Boat electro-fishing team from Stellar Environmental in action on Loch Beag, May 2005. (Photo R. Laughton) Figure 2: Aerial view of the Skating Pond in Grantown on Spey showing proximity to the River Spey. (Photo R. Laughton) Figure 3: Length (mm) frequency for trout caught in the Skating Pond, Grantown, 29 May 2005. Figure 4: Length (mm) frequency distribution for eels caught in the Skating Pond, Grantown, May 2005. Figure 5: Orfe in natural colours (above) and Golden Orfe (below) captured in Skating Pond, Grantown, 29 th May 2005. (Photo R. Laughton) Figure 6: Juvenile Tench captured in Skating Pond, Grantown, 29 th May 2005. (Photo R. Laughton) Figure 7: Map showing locations of Loch Beag and Bogach. Figure 8: Large Tench (8lb) captured in Loch Beag, May 2005. (Photo R. Laughton) Figure 9: Roach and Rudd fry captured from Loch Beag Survey May 2005. (Photo R. Laughton) Figure 10a: Length (mm) frequency histogram for pike captured in Loch Beag and the Bogach, 30 th May 2005. Figure 10b: Length (mm) frequency histogram for eels caught in Loch Beag and the Bogach, 30 th May 2005. 3 Figure 11: Orfe captured by an angler in Loch Alvie, 19th July 2005. (Photo K. Taylor) Figure 12: Map showing location of Lochs Davan and Kinord on Deeside. Figure 13a: Length frequency distribution for Perch in Loch Davan, 1st June 2005. Figure 13b: Length frequency distribution for Pike in Loch Davan, 1st June 2005. Age classes are estimated using Treasurer and Owen (1991). Figure 13c: Length frequency distribution for eels in Loch Davan, 1st June 2005. Figure 14a: Length (mm) frequency distribution for Perch captured in Loch Kinord, 31st May 2005. Figure 14b: Length (mm) frequency distribution for Pike captured in Loch Kinord, 31st May 2005. Age classes are estimated using Treasurer and Owen (1991). Figure 14c: Length (mm) frequency distribution for Eels caught in Loch Kinord, 31st May 2005. 4 SUMMARY A previous survey using gill nets, angling and fish traps of lochs in Speyside and Deeside (Redgewell, Laughton and Hudson 2004) indicated the presence of non native species at a number of locations. This survey builds on the 2004 one by testing boat electro-fishing as an approach to assess open water areas. The boat electrofishing was trialled at five stillwater locations, Skating Pond (Grantown), Loch Beag, the Bogach, on Speyside and Loch Davan and Loch Kinord on Deeside. A trial was also conducted on a slow flowing reach of the Spey near the confluence with the River Nethy. In general the technique proved successful with a range of fish species captured and a range of age classes for the dominant fish species. Pike, eels, trout and perch were captured. Non native species including Orfe (Leuciscus idus ), (in Golden and natural forms) and tench (Tinca tinca) were captured in the Skating Pond, rudd ( Scardinius erythrophthalmus ) and roach ( Rutilus rutilus ) were captured in Loch Beag and an angler provided another Orfe from Loch Alvie. No non-natives were captured from the Bogach, Lochs Davan and Kinord. Results from Loch Beag indicate that Roach and Rudd are establishing a spawning population and the juvenile tench captured in the Skating Pond may also indicate a spawning population. The benefits of the boat based electrofishing technique are discussed along with the implications of non natives on the native fish populations. 5 OBJECTIVES The objectives for the non-native fish species survey were to: • Test boat electro-fishing as a technique for surveying lochs, ponds and mainstem stretches within the Dee and Spey catchments. • Produce baseline non-native fish species presence/absence data for key lochs within the Spey and Dee catchments. 6 1. INTRODUCTION Redgewell, Laughton and Hudson (2004) carried out a survey of several lochs on Speyside and Deeside during 2004. A questionnaire survey was used to examine fishing pressures and techniques and gill netting was then used to examine if any non native fish species were present. Encouragingly most of the lochs contained only the expected range of species, typically, trout, pike, eels, and charr. However, non-native fish species were discovered in Loch Beag, Speyside, adult rudd ( Scardinius erythrophthalmus ) and roach (Rutilus rutilus ) were captured but no juveniles. A number of ponds were also examined and a variety of species were documented with breeding populations of Golden Orfe, Leuciscus idus , present in one. A number of techniques were implemented during the survey including gill-netting, angling, minnow traps and electro-fishing along the margins. During the survey concern was raised regarding the gill netting as suitable means for surveys. NORDIC protocols were followed throughout and only small numbers of fish were caught however, the authors felt that it would be useful to try alternatives and this survey explores boat based electro-fishing. 2. METHODS Stellar Environmental, Rutland, were contracted to conduct boat electro-fishing surveys. Electro-fishing equipment consisted of 13.4kVa generator linked to a transformer and control box (Electracatch Model WFC4-HV) with two anodes and cathode. The anodes were stainless steel rings (diameter 400mm) and were fitted with knotless mesh nets (mesh size 2mm). Voltages ranged from 200V to 600V and ampage from 8A to 30A. Two boats strapped provided a stable working platform. The electrofishing equipment was placed in one boat and holding tanks in the other. Anode operators were stationed at the front of each boat, while the driver was located at the rear of the boat containing the electro-fishing gear. There was also room for an addition net handler. The paired boats were powered by an outboard motor. 7 A simple sampling strategy was devised for the ponds and lochs. Each habitat area i.e. reed beds, open water, shallow margins were fished and a note of the time fishing was recorded. In general and since the main purpose of this survey was to determine species present the data was then amalgamated from each habitat type. A fish finder was also used in the larger lochs to identify potential accumulations of fish. Sampling was conducted while the boat was moving forward with the anode operators sweeping ahead of the bow. An additional crew member also caught any fish missed by the anode operator. Fish were captured by the anodes with nets, on capture the anode was switched off and the fish placed directly into the holding tanks. Fish were not removed by hand from the anode and net to minimise risks to operators. Figure 1: Boat electro-fishing team from Stellar Environmental in action on Loch Beag, May 2005. (Photo R. Laughton) After the survey was complete the fish were processed on shore. Fish were anaesthetized using benzocaine solution, identified, measured, scale were obtained from salmonids. All native species were returned and non-natives were retained and photographed. Some additional data was also obtained form anglers fishing on Loch Alvie. 8 3. RESULTS Four sampling locations were examined using the boat electro-fishing technique on Speyside, Loch Beag, the Bogach, the Skating Pond in Grantown and the mainstem near the confluence of the River Nethy. On Deeside two lochs, Davan and Kinord, were examined. 3.1 Skating Pond, Grantown Figure 2: Aerial view of the Skating Pond in Grantown on Spey showing proximity to the River Spey. (Photo R. Laughton) Located in Grantown on Spey (302983,827055) (Figure 1) the Skating Pond is a man- made feature which is fed by an input from the Kylintra Burn. Approximate area is 1.6ha and the pond is generally shallow in depth typically between 1 to 1.5m. As the name suggests the pond was created for skating and curling. However, as it has matured with reed beds and vegetation it has begun to support a range of wildlife and bird species. The pond is seldom fished and no data on the fish species present is available. 9 Initial observations gave little indication that there was many fish within this pond but members of the pubic had reported sightings of a large golden coloured fish while feeding the ducks. Redgewell, et al (2004) indicate that roach had already been observed in the Kylintra Burn after a pollution incident in a pond further upstream and it seemed likely that other fish species may also have escaped at that time from a privately owned pond and entered the burn which supplies the Skating Pond.
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