Research undertaken at the Hull International Fisheries Institute (HIFI) has shaped key UK policies aimed at the conservation of fish species and the protection of fish populations impacted by water-resource management.
Issue
Effective conservation, restoration, and enhancement of inland fisheries in the UK requires accurate assessment of the status of fish populations, and precise understanding of relevant, key environmental drivers such as river flow.
Seven UK fish species are of European conservation importance. Effective protection of these ‘conservation fish’ species requires accurate estimates of their populations.
However, prior to this research, there was no standard UK methodology or approach for establishing these estimates that met the EU Directive’s requirements.
Water companies in England and Wales, along with the regulator (the Environment Agency [EA]), have historically lacked reliable information regarding the impact of water abstraction for industrial, domestic, or agricultural use on fish populations and communities.
Approach
The research conducted by the team developed new, robust and rigorous standard monitoring methods and sampling strategies to establish the ‘conservation fish’ populations, and to develop robust scientific understanding of the flow requirements of UK fish species for migration, spawning and natural behaviour.
Impact
HIFI research contributed significantly to the standard survey and monitoring protocols in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) policy. The JNCC advises the UK Government on UK and international nature conservation.
As a result of the research, UK conservation agencies, including Inland Fisheries Ireland, Natural England, and The Scottish Fisheries Co-ordination Centre, possessed sufficient, legally-recognised monitoring evidence to inform and implement policies to ensure sustainable fish populations.
HIFI’s research for the UK Environment Agency developed a clear understanding of the water flow and level requirements needed for rivers to sustain coarse fish and ‘conservation fish’ species. HIFI’s work was integral to shaping the UK Technical Advisory Group (2013) policy: River Flow for Good Ecological Potential. This policy has impacted organisations subject to the regulatory requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), for example Yorkshire Water.
More information
Institution: University of Hull
Researchers: Professor Ian Cowx, Dr Jonathan Harvey, Dr Richard Noble, Dr Andy Nunn, Dr Jonathan Bolland