Dysynni Salmon and Sea Trout Action Plan

DYSYNNI SALMON AND SEA TROUT ACTION PLAN

SUMMARY

This document presents a Salmon and Sea Trout Action Plan (SAP) for the Dysynni - one of 63 plans being prepared for salmon rivers in England and by 2002 as part of the Agency's National Salmon Management Strategy.

The Plan identifies and costs a series of actions designed to help safeguard and improve salmon and sea trout stocks and fisheries on the Dysynni which the Agency and others, including Estumanner AA, Peniarth Uchaf Fishery, Tyn y Cornel Fishery and Prince Albert AA, intend to undertake in the next five years.

The Plan follows external publication in January 2002 of the Dysynni SAP Consultation Document which reviewed stock and fisheries status on the Dysynni, identified the main issues limiting performance, and produced a list of costed options to address these. Comments received throughout the consultation period have been largely accommodated in drafting the final plan.

Actions put forward in the Plan include:

! Restoring juvenile salmonid habitat. ! Buying out licensed estuarine netsman. ! Improving the quality of angler catch data. ! Reducing the occurrence of agricultural pollution. ! Review the management of Tal y Llyn fishery with respect to migratory impairment and limiting natural recruitment. ! Investigate the impact of weed/algal growth in Tal y Llyn and seek remedial solutions. ! Reducing predation by sawbill ducks, cormorants and mink. ! Reducing the impact of forestry activity.

To maintain the momentum generated by this Plan it is important that the Agency gives regular account of its progress, makes its customers and partners in collaboration fully aware of developments, and is continually receptive to comments and ideas. To help ensure this, SAP progress will be reported to the Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee Wales (FERACW) and the Local Fisheries Group (LFG), and to local angling interests via articles and presentations.

1 Environment Agency Wales – Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation (Northern Area) – April 2002

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In February 1996, the National Salmon Management Strategy was launched by the Environment Agency's predecessor, the National Rivers Authority (NRA, 1996).

The strategy concentrates on four main objectives for the management of salmon fisheries in England and Wales. These are primarily aimed at securing the well being of the stock but in doing so will improve catches and the associated economic returns to the fisheries:

(i) Optimise the number of salmon returning to homewater fisheries. (ii) Maintain and improve fitness and diversity of salmon stocks. (iii) Optimise the total economic value of surplus stocks. (iv) Ensure necessary costs are met by beneficiaries.

These four objectives are being addressed by means of local Salmon Action Plans (SAPs) which the Agency is producing for each principal salmon river by April 2002. Each plan reviews the status of the stock and fisheries on a particular river, seeks to identify the main issues limiting performance, and draws up and costs a list of options to address these.

In delivering each SAP the Agency has sought the support (including in some instances the financial support) of local fishery and other interests. This collaborative approach is vital to secure the best way forward for our salmon rivers at a time when stocks are generally at an historic low and environmental pressures are as great as ever. An integral stage in the development of each SAP has been the production of a consultation document, which was circulated widely and refined in the light of comments received.

The final SAP, which resulted from consultation, publicly defines the Agency's intentions for salmon management over the next five years, with a commitment to review progress on an annual basis. In turn, the issues raised by local plans will pass up to Regional and National plans which will focus the Agency's business activities in the wider context. Furthermore, each SAP will feed into Local Environment Agency Plans or LEAP's which serve to integrate all environmental responsibilities within the Agency's remit, including management of air, land and water. LEAPs will shortly be replaced by a ‘Local Contribution’ which should encompass those issues identified in LEAPs

This document is the Salmon and Sea Trout Action Plan for the .

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2.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Prior to the production of the consultation document anglers in both catchments were asked for their views on what they believed were the major issues limiting stocks and catches in their catchment. The response was very good with twenty highly constructive written responses received. The major issues raised were:

! Estuarine netting. ! Dredging gravels. ! Habitat degradation.

The information received in the above ‘scoping’ survey was used to formulate the actions included in the Dysynni SAP consultation document. More than 30 copies of the Dysynni SAP consultation document were sent to organisations and individuals who are involved in, or have an interest in, the Dysynni catchment and its salmon and sea trout stocks and fisheries. In addition to the circulation of the consultation document, a presentation on the draft SAP was given to interested parties on 24th January 2002, when there was much constructive debate.

The main issues raised during the consultation process were:

! Estuarine and high seas exploitation. ! Juvenile salmonid habitat degradation. ! Management of Tal y Llyn fishery. ! Acidification and liming. ! Forestry management practices ! General agricultural and sheep dip pollution. ! Damage to juvenile stocks caused by fish eating birds. ! Excessive 'weed' growth in Tal y Llyn and the river downstream. ! Failure to comply with the Conservation Limit. ! The need for partnership between local angling interests and the Agency.

The comments received in the consultation process are largely incorporated in the following action tables. The abbreviations used in the tables are:

Agency departments Other Organisations

FM - Fisheries management SNP - National Park EAT - Environmental Appraisal Team CCW - Countryside Council for Wales ET - Enforcement Team AA - Angling Associations EP - Environment Protection NAW - National Assembly, Wales Eplan - Environment Planning DEFRA - Department for the WR - Water Resources Environment, Food and Rural Affairs FD - Flood Defence FE – Forestry Enterprise Cons - Conservation

3 Environment Agency Wales – Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation (Northern Area) – April 2002

3.0 ACTION PLAN SUMMARY TABLES

TABLE 1. RESTORING DEGRADED HABITAT & IMPROVING ACCESS COST (£K) AND TIMESCALE SOURCES OF ACTIONS 2002/ 2003/ 2004/ 2005/ 2006/ FUNDING AND NOTE 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 RESOURCES OBJECTIVE 1 HABITAT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME Scoping Undertake scoping meetings with anglers to identify areas £0.5K suitable for habitat improvement works. Survey Carry out survey to identify and prioritise areas for £5K Gwynedd sustainable habitat restoration work. angling initiative Planning Phase I Design schemes, negotiate £5K 1, 2 with landowners and obtain Agency (FM, EAT), estimates. CCW, SNP, Gwynedd Works CC, AA’s Undertake habitat restoration £20K £15K work to increase juvenile salmonid carrying capacity. Maintenance £0.5K £0.5K £0.5K Maintain restored stretches. Monitor Undertake pre and post £2K £2K scheme monitoring GRAVEL REMOVAL Pont y Garth Undertake environmental impact assessment (EIA) of gravel removal at this point, considering impact on: Agency (WR, FD, FM, £1K £4K 3 1. Geomorphology Cons, EAT) 2. Macrophytes (aquatic plants) 3. Juvenile salmonid production

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TABLE 1 - RESTORING DEGRADED HABITAT AND IMPROVING ACCESS

1. The Gwynedd Sustainable Angling Initiative aims to optimise the economic, environmental and social benefits to local communities from developing the sustainable use of fisheries in Gwynedd through restoring and improving the fisheries resource and angling facilities and by promoting quality angling opportunities for anglers. In order for the Gwynedd Sustainable Angling Initiative to be environmentally sustainable and bring wider economic benefits to the area, three key areas of fisheries development and marketing work are identified, each linked and dependant upon the others in order to bring a holistic approach.

Phase 1: Habitat Improvements and Restoration Project. Phase 2: Improvements to Angling Infrastructure and Facilities. Phase 3: Marketing and Information.

2. The main aim of the Gwynedd River Habitat Improvement and Restoration Project is to introduce an extensive programme of river habitat improvements to increase the carrying capacity of juvenile fish, and to ensure that fisheries in Gwynedd are healthy, productive and biologically diverse, thus providing a valuable, sustainable natural resource used by the local community and visitors.

3. Gravel has been removed form the Dysynni for a number of years by the Agency's flood defence function. This work takes place every year to ensure that the guaging weir on the Dysynni is able to operate and to reduce the risk of flooding on nearby farmland. It is thought that this activity could be reducing the conservation value of this stretch of the Dysynni by degrading the habitat available to fauna and flora, including salmon and trout. In the consultation meeting it was also suggested that this activity has led to a reduction in the quality of angling by allowing excessive macrophyte beds to develop. To clarify whether this activity is having an impact an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should be undertaken considering the geomorphology, macrophytes (aquatic plants) and juvenile salmonid production in this reach of the Dysynni.

5 Environment Agency Wales – Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation (Northern Area) – April 2002

TABLE 2. WATER QUALITY COST (£K) AND TIMESCALE SOURCES OF ACTIONS 2002/ 2003/ 2004/ 2005/ 2006/ FUNDING AND NOTE 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 RESOURCES ACIDIFICATION Liming 1. If liming is considered by AA’s, identify £2K Agency (FM / EAT) 4 suitable sub-catchments as requested. 2. Before liming consult 5 with landowners, CCW, No financial cost AA’s SNP and EA (EP). 3. Undertake or subsidise liming by land owners on improved land £5K £5K £5K AA’s and landowners avoiding ecologically sensitive areas. AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION 1. Encourage the reporting of all pollution incidents No cost AA’s 6 on free phone 0800 80 70 60 (24hrs). 2. Encourage the reporting of any malpractice No cost AA’s 7 likely to lead to pollution. 3. Continue targeted Cost depends on the number of reports pollution prevention Agency (EP) received ~£0.5K per annum work. ‘WEED’ GROWTH IN TAL Y LLYN AND DYSYNNI DOWNSTREAM OF LAKE 'Weed' growth 1. Confirm species and distribution of 'weed'. 2. Identify possible causes £0.5K £10K £2K Agency (EPlan, NEAT) 8 of recent increases in growth. 3. Undertake remedial action if necessary. FORESTRY MANAGEMENT Coniferous forestry Ensure that local fishery No financial cost AA’s 9 interests are represented on (Time of those attending meetings) Forestry panel meetings.

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TABLE 2 - WATER QUALITY

4. The benefit of river catchment liming to ameliorate acidification is arguable, the latest research carried out in Wales suggests that liming of this kind does not increase invertebrate diversity or fish numbers because it can only provides limited buffering during peak flood events. In some catchments in North Wales angling clubs have subsidised the application of lime by farmers on improved agricultural land in acidified areas. If the anglers on the Dysynni wish to undertake catchment liming the Agency will advise on the most appropriate river stretches to target.

5. Liming can damage acidophilic communities of plants and animals if it is applied in ecologically sensitive areas and therefore, prior to any liming activity, the advice of CCW and SNP must be sought. If Angling clubs wish to 'source lime' parts of the catchment, this should only take place on improved fields in accordance with normal agricultural practice and landowners agreement.

6. The Agency recognises that anglers are often it's eyes and ears on the river bank and are important allies in protecting the environment. In the consultation document and meeting the importance of reporting all incidents was emphasised.

7. If angler's are aware of sites where any activity could lead to pollution these should be reported to the Agency so that preventative action can take place to overt an incident. This kind of information is also invaluable when developing pollution prevention programmes.

8. There have been concerns about weed growth in Tal y Llyn over the past few years. At present it is not clear what kind of 'weed' this is i.e. macrophyte (higher aquatic plant) or alga. However, it appears that this growth may have been triggered by a shift in the nutrient status of the lake. The issue will need to be investigated and remedial options considered if necessary.

9. The Agency will continue to collaborate with the Forestry Commission to put together revisions of the Forestry and Water Guidelines in. The 4th version of this document has been put together recently and outlines best practice for forestry practices near water courses to minimise the impact upon aquatic life. The Forestry Commission will continue to ensure that forestry operations comply with these guidelines. Forest Enterprise, who manage the nation's forestry plantations, have made it clear that they are keen to liase with interested parties such as anglers about local forest management. Forest Enterprise are intending to consult with these parties through 'local forestry panel groups' or similar forums which will allow anglers to influence forestry practice in their area. For example, one issue often raised is that 'excessive' drainage of plantations causes short, severe spates that can wash out spawning gravels. Forest Enterprise have begun to limit this drainage by blocking up plantation drains. However, anglers could help direct this activity in their catchments through regular liason with Forest Enterprise. Therefore, the Agency recommends that for each catchment where forestry is thought to be an issue, such as in the south of the Dysynni catchment, there should be one angling representative on the forestry group.

7 Environment Agency Wales – Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation (Northern Area) – April 2002

TABLE 3. STATUS OF STOCKS AND EXPLOITATION COST (£K) AND TIMESCALE SOURCES OF ACTIONS 2002/ 2003/ 2004/ 2005/ 2006/ FUNDING AND NOTE 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 RESOURCES CURRENT STATUS OF STOCKS Improve catch/return rate Stress importance of making Angling clubs, Minimal cost 10 accurate returns to angling Agency (National) club members. Conservation Limit Compliance Methodology Agency (National Revise current methodology £10K £0.5K £0.5K £0.5K £0.5K salmon and trout centre 11 to provide more realistic and EAT) representation of stocks. LEGAL EXPLOITATION Catch and release by rods Promote use of catch and £0.5K £0.5K £0.5K £0.5K £0.5K Agency (FM), AA’s 12 release to help maintain stock

Estuarine netting Angling clubs should £?K £?K £?K £?K £?K AA’s 13 consider paying netsman not to fish. ILLEGAL AND HIGH SEAS EXPLOITATION Illegal Exploitation Agency (ENF), and Develop network for angler £1K £1K £1K £1K £1K AA’s information on illegal activity. Sea Fisheries Byelaws Modify sea fisheries NWNWSFC and Agency byelaws to reduce illegal £5K £5K £5K 14 (FM & ENF) netting in estuarine and coastal waters. Enforce sea fisheries £50K per annum for North Wales NWNWSFC and byelaws coast. Agency (ENF) High Seas Fisheries Continue to lobby for £?K £?K £?K £?K £?K Agency policy, AA’s reduction in high seas exploitation.

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TABLE 3 - STATUS OF STOCKS AND EXPLOITATION

10. The reliability of the Agency's catch data is often questioned due to under reporting. All parties acknowledge that it is important that rod catch data is accurately recorded with effort and returned to the Agency. The information from licence returns is used as a measure of the health of both the fishery and the stock. Catch returns with effort could also be important in future to record the success of initiatives such habitat restoration or other longer term changes in activities that affect stocks both within and outside the catchment. The Agency will seek ways of improving the quantity and quality of catch returns although it relies upon anglers and their organisations to encourage all anglers to make accurate returns. It is in the best interests of all groups with an interest in salmon and sea trout stocks and angling that returns are made.

11. The current conservation limit estimation and compliance modelling procedure is a useful means by which to examine the status of salmon stocks. However, for the Dysynni the modelling procedure is limited by some catchment specific factors which means that the current status of stocks is uncertain.

12. The use of catch and release allows more fish to spawn which leads to increased juvenile production and ultimately to increased numbers of adult salmon and sea trout returning to a catchment. The Dysynni anglers should be commended on their relatively high proportion of released fish. However, both the Agency and the Angling clubs should continue to promote the use of catch and release. Promotional video and leaflets are available to assist in increasing awareness.

13. The estuarine net catch on the Dysynni has increased in recent years and at present is of a similar order to the rod catch. In the consultation meeting those present felt that one of the highest priority actions to improve stocks on the Dysynni should be to reduce or eliminate the net catch. However, the netsman has a legal right to carry out his netting which could only be reduced in one of 3 ways:

a. Net Limitation Order Review - which would have to demonstrate that the netting was either exploiting mixed stocks or posed a major threat to the survival of the stocks in the catchment.

b. If the local angling interests paid the netsman not to fish.

c. If the netsman stopped fishing of his own accord.

In the short term b would be most effective way to eliminate the loss of fish to the net. Local angling interests could work together to negotiate with the netsman and agree a payment to stop the net fishing. The angling interests could then consider the costs versus the likely benefits and whether the fee is within their means. If the fee was acceptable the anglers could make a payment, initially perhaps on a trial basis, and assess the benefits to the fishery.

14. The Agency is currently examining possible changes to sea fisheries byelaws to reduce illegal netting along the coast. This will require agreement with and promotion of the byelaws by NWNWSFC. The Agency will be involved in enforcing these byelaws.

9 Environment Agency Wales – Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation (Northern Area) – April 2002

TABLE 4. MANAGEMENT OF THE TAL Y LLYN TROUT FISHERY COST (£K) AND TIMESCALE SOURCES OF ACTIONS 2002/ 2003/ 2004/ 2005/ 2006/ FUNDING AND NOTE 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 RESOURCES MIGRATORY SALMONID ACCESS Continue use of 'inscale' net to prevent stocked lake trout emigration whilst not Minimal cost Tyn y Cornel Fishery 15 impeding the passage of migratory salmonids over summer months. STOCKING STRATEGY Continue with proposed strategy to stock local strains Broodstock £1K per annum Agency (FM), Tyn y of brown trout rather than 16 Cornel Fishery hybrid or excessively large Rearing £4K per annum trout. RESTORE MIGRATORY SALMONID FISHERY IN LAKE As part of stocking strategy Broodstock £1K per annum consider pump priming sea Tyn y Cornel Fishery, trout fishery using lake to Monitoring £2K per annum other angling interests, 17 'ranch' smolts from local Agency (FM) stock. Rearing £4K per annum

TABLE 4. MANAGEMENT OF THE TAL Y LLYN TROUT FISHERY

15. In the past the Tyn y Cornel lake trout fishery used to stock large brown trout from the south of England to sustain a put and take fishery. To stop the fishe from leaving the lake a net was placed over the lake outlet which restricted the migration of migratory salmonids. To prevent the net from affecting the passage of salmon and sea trout the complete barrier net has now been replaced by an inscale net. This net design allows fish to move upstream unhindered but makes it very difficult for fish to move downstream. This arrangement benefits both the migratory fish stocks and the lake fishery.

16. In the past the brown trout stocked into the lake were large and not from a local strain. This meant that these stocked fish:

! Were not well adapted to the conditions in Tal y Llyn and survival was variable. ! Were likely to predate on the naturally occurring juvenile trout and salmon. ! Would have 'weakened' the local strain of trout if they survived to breed.

To eliminate these problems the Agency and the fishery owners are undertaking a collaborative project to obtain local brown trout broodstock the offspring of which are reared at a commercial hatchery at Brenig. It is hoped that some of the offspring of these fish will be stocked as 'fingerlings' in autumn 2002 and the first takeable fish will be stocked in 2003.

17. Local fishery interests should consider whether their stock enhancement activities should also be directed at sea trout to restore the migratory trout fishery in the lake by using smolt ranching. This would benefit all the fisheries in the catchment and could be undertaken as part of a collaborative initiative between all fisheries interests. This could be included as part of, or in addition to, the current brown trout stocking project.

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TABLE 5. PREDATION BY SAWBILL DUCKS & CORMORANTS.

COST (£K) AND TIMESCALE SOURCES OF ACTIONS 2002/ 2003/ 2004/ 2005/ 2006/ FUNDING AND NOTE 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 RESOURCES

Demonstrate impact on No financial cost; time migratory fish populations AA’s 18 of club members by fish eating birds.

Investigate the use of non- No financial cost; time lethal control measures, AA’s 19 of club members using DEFRA guidelines. Obtain further advice aimed No financial cost; time AA’s 20 at Fishery owners of club members Submit an application for a licence to the NAW, No financial cost; time showing lethal control as AA’s of club members part of a package of measures.

TABLE 5. PREDATION OF JUVENILE AND ADULT FISH

18. The Agency has no legal powers to issue licences to control predation by shooting fish-eating birds. All enquiries regarding cases of bird predation at individual fisheries must be referred to the National Assembly for Wales (NAW). Before a licence can be issued it is necessary to show that non-lethal methods of control have been attempted and that an impact is proven.

19. DEFRA can provide information on non-lethal deterrents and scaring techniques. A range of measures can be employed to reduce the impact of predation by fish-eating birds. Disturbance by people is consistently effective, as is habitat improvement offering fish greater chances of escape from attack, or to change fish stocking policies to make waters less attractive to fish- eating birds.

20. The Moran Committee, who consist of 13 principal angling interests, have recently set up a working group on fish eating birds. The group includes representatives from the Environment Agency, English Nature and the RSPB whose aim is to develop a co-operative approach to the problem. Advice can be obtained from the Moran Committee on 020 7283 5838 or email [email protected].

4.0 MANAGEMENT OF THE PLAN

! Information and progress on the plan will be relayed to interested parties via the Local Fishery Group.

! Please note that Agency funding cannot be guaranteed and will depend on current priorities and the availability of resources.

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