Environmental RTDI Programme 2000–2006 Investigation of the Relationship between Fish Stocks, Ecological Quality Ratings (Q-Values), Environmental Factors and Degree of Eutrophication (2000-MS-4-M1) Synthesis Report Main Report available for download on http://www.epa.ie/downloads/pubs/research/water/ Prepared for the Environmental Protection Agency by Central Fisheries Board, School of Biological and Environmental Science, University College Dublin; Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, University College Cork; School of Environmental Studies, University of Ulster; Department of Zoology, National University of Ireland Galway; Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, New Zealand; Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems Branch, Agri Food and Biosciences Institute, Northern Ireland. Project Coordinator: Trevor Champ (CFB) Authors: Fiona Kelly, Trevor Champ, Neasa McDonnell, Mary Kelly-Quinn, Simon Harrison, Alison Arbuthnott, Paul Giller, Mike Joy, Kieran McCarthy, Paula Cullen, Chris Harrod, Phil Jordan, David Griffiths and Robert Rosell ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil PO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Ireland Telephone: +353 53 916 0600 Fax +353 53 916 0699 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.epa.ie © Environmental Protection Agency 2007 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report has been prepared as part of the Environmental Research Technological Development and Innovation programme 2000–2006. The programme is financed by the Irish government under the National Development Plan 2000–2006. It is administered on behalf of the Department of the Environment and Local Government by the Environmental Protection Agency which has the statutory function of coordinating and promoting environmental research. The EPA research programme for the period 2007–2013 is entitled Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for the Environment (STRIVE). The project team gratefully acknowledge the assistance from the following people: staff of the Eastern, Northern, Northwestern, Shannon, Southern, Southwestern and Western Regional Fisheries Boards, Ms Sandra Doyle, Ms Karen Delanty, Dr Martin O’Grady, Ms Fionnuala O’Connor, Ms Sara McDevitt, Dr Joe Hennelly, Professor John J. Bracken, Mr Tim Stokes and Dr Catherine Bradley, Dr Jerome Masters, Dr Jan-Robert Baars, Brid Aherne, Dr Fintan Bracken and I. Donohue. Dr R. Humphries (DCAL). Conservation Services carried out macroinvertebrate sampling on the Laune catchment and also provided some archival fish data. We also wish to thank Dr M. Kelly Quinn, Dr W. Roche (CFB) and Martin McGarrigle (EPA) for their help and assistance throughout the project. DISCLAIMER Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this publication, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the authors accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this publication. All or part of this publication may be reproduced without further permission, provided the source is acknowledged. WATER QUALITY The Water Quality Section of the Environmental RTDI programme addresses the need for research in Ireland to inform policymakers and other stakeholders on a range of questions in this area. The reports in this series are intended as contributions to the necessary debate on water quality and the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL RTDI PROGRAMME 2000–2006 Published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER ISBN 1-84095-243-1 12/07/300 Price: Free ii Details of Project Partners Trevor Champ (Project Coordinator) and Simon Harrison and Paul Giller Fiona Kelly Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology Central Fisheries Board University College Cork Swords Business Campus Lee Maltings Swords, Co. Dublin Prospect Row Tel: +353-1-8842600 Cork Fax: +353-1-8360060 Tel: + 353-21-4904195 Email: [email protected] and Fax: + 353-212-4904664 [email protected] Email: [email protected] and [email protected] Mary Kelly Quinn David Griffiths and Philip Jordan School of Biological and Environmental School of Environmental Studies Science University of Ulster University College Dublin Cromore Road, Coleraine Belfield BT52 1SA Dublin 4 Northern Ireland Tel: +353-1-7162337 Tel: + 048-7032-4428 Fax: +353-1-7161153 Fax: + 048-703-24911 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] and [email protected] Kieran McCarthy Department of Zoology National University of Ireland Galway Galway Tel: +353-91-512008 Fax: +353-91-750526 Email: [email protected] iii Table of Contents Acknowledgements ii Disclaimer ii Details of Project Partners iii Executive Summary vii 1 Introduction 1 2 Establishment of a Relationship between Q-Values and Fish Stock Composition and Abundance 4 2.1 Introduction 4 2.2 Methods 4 2.3 Results 6 2.4 Discussion 13 2.5 Conclusions 17 2.6 Recommendations 17 3 Development of a Predictive Model for Fish in Rivers 18 3.1 Introduction 18 3.2 Methods 18 3.3 Results: Model Development of Reference Sites With and Without Barriers to Fish Migration Present Downstream 20 3.4 Results: Model Development of Reference Sites Without Barriers 24 3.5 Discussion 26 3.6 Recommendations 27 4 Development of an Appropriate Sampling Protocol for Assessment of the Status of Fish Stocks in Rivers for the WFD (and Preliminary Proposals for Lakes) 28 4.1 Rivers 28 4.2 Lakes 35 v 5 Micro Distribution of Brown Trout and Eels in Relation to Diurnal Oxygen Variation 38 5.1 Introduction 38 5.2 Methods 38 5.3 Results 39 5.4 Discussion 41 5.5 Conclusions 43 5.6 Recommendations 43 6 Survival of Salmonid Eggs along a Water Quality/Nutrient Gradient 44 6.1 Introduction 44 6.2 Methods 44 6.3 Results 44 6.4 Discussion 45 6.5 Conclusions 46 6.6 Recommendations 46 7 References 47 Acronyms 53 Appendix 1 54 vi Executive Summary In Ireland the water quality of streams and rivers has been abundance (no. fish m-2), as indicated by Q-values. assessed using macroinvertebrates, chemistry and Salmonids (1+ and older) divided into five distinct groups: macroflora since the 1960s. The Water Framework Directive Group 1 (Q2–3), Group 2 (Q3), Group 3 (Q3–4 and Q4), (EC Directive 2000/60/EC) (WFD) lists fish amongst the Group 4 (Q4–5) and Group 5 (Q5) in terms of species biological elements which should be used for the composition. In terms of abundance, the 1+ and older classification of ecological status of surface waters (rivers, salmonids divided into three significantly different groups: lakes and transitional waters [estuaries]). This project was Group 1 (Q2–3 and Q3), Group 2 (Q3–4 and Q4) and supported under the Environmental Protection Agency Group 3 (Q4–5 and Q5). Moreover, the abundance of 1+ (EPA) ERTDI (2000–2006) programme to: (i) assess the and older salmon was significantly different between impact of water quality, as evidenced by the EPA Quality moderate (Q3–4) and good-quality (Q4) sites. These Rating System (Q-values) on riverine fish stocks; (ii) assess simple metrics can be used to separate the ‘high/good’ and the feasibility of using fish assemblages as indicators of ‘good/moderate’ boundaries for the WFD for fish ecological quality; and (iii) develop a predictive model which (particularly for wadable river sites). Separation of the would have application in the context of the WFD. good/moderate boundary (i.e. Q4/Q3–4) is particularly Investigation of specific questions regarding eutrophication important but it is a relatively subtle change indicated by pressures was also required. The project was awarded to 1+ and older salmon, which is only applicable to locations and executed by an alliance of state agencies and downstream of impassable barriers. academic institutions north and south of the border. Using the fish-community data generated by the project, a Using Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN)- predictive model was developed for fish in rivers. All sites compliant electric fishing methods, a comprehensive achieving a Q-value of Q4–5 and Q5 were considered dataset of fish and habitat variables was generated at 374 ‘high’-quality or possible reference sites. The river locations, mostly in wadable 1st to 4th order streams, observed/expected (O/E) scores grouped by Q-values across the full range of EPA water-quality ratings. Archival were significantly different for the six Q-value groups; the material for fish and habitat variables was sourced for differences were between the lower Q-values but some another 145 sites. Established EPA protocols were used to overlap occurred at the higher Q-values. The discriminant assess water quality at each location surveyed. model assessment showed that sites were correctly assigned to bio-groups and the distribution of reference The study established that there is a relationship between site O/E scores was similar to many published RIVPACS fish-community composition and Q-values. Non-salmonids and AUSRIVAS models using fish and invertebrates. This dominate the fish community at ‘poor’-quality (Q2–3) sites suggests that the model produced here is robust and to but decrease to <10% of the fish population at ‘high’- the standard of other similar models in use worldwide. quality (Q4–5 and Q5) sites, whereas salmonids dominate While the correlation with Q-scores was strong and the community at high-quality sites and decrease to <20% positive, there was no significant difference between the at poor-quality sites. It was statistically possible to reference sites and the Q3–4 sites. separate a number of fish groups in relation to Q-values. Salmonids (1+ and older) were the best indicators of water In order to develop a robust and accurate monitoring quality in terms of species composition (%) and protocol for the WFD’s ecological assessment for fish in vii rivers, the degree of variation in fish populations and The effects of diurnal oxygen variation on trout and eels in physical habitat variables were evaluated at the reach rivers exhibiting different levels of enrichment were scale.