Our Fisheries section are experienced in all forms of eel survey and assessment, from escapement to population estimates. We carry out dedicated eel surveys throughout the UK for a diverse client base. We are able to field an experienced fisheries team for any situation and understand the needs of the Water Industry sector. Our field staff are electrofishing trained to both IFM and EA standards,and we operate the latest equipment and embrace the latest developments in fishery science and survey methodology. All work we carry out is under strict operating instruction and health and safety risk assessment procedures. All staff are CSCS cardholders, and as such we are aware of our conduct on large, busy industrial type sites, and in and around large plant and equipment. We are fully trained with all aspects of biosecurity. We have a comprehensive Biosecurity policy and all staff have completed Biosecurity modules for the Invasive Non-Native Species Secretariat. All this adds up to a professional, efficient and effective service, sensitive to the needs of the water industry.
Eel Regulations (2009) were created in order to protect rapidly declining stocks of European eel (Anguilla anguilla). The species is judged to be outside safe biological limits and the EU regulations are designed to allow recovery of eel stocks throughout member states. Within Uk law these regulations are stipulated within The Eels Regulations. These aim to achieve an escapement target of 40% for adult eels returning to the marine environment on their spawning migration, grant regulatory powers to statutory bodies such as the Environment Agency to undertake recovery measures or ensure they are implemented. Part of these measures comprise of reducing fishing pressure on stocks, increasing escapement, reducing entrainment (through screening intakes and outfalls)and improving habitat
Fishtrack undertake eel population surveys throughout the Water Industry sector to evaluate the status of eel in reservoirs and lakes, determine population levels and size structure and measure the proportion of silvered adults ready to migrate out of systems. We undertake elver surveys and quantify elver ingress into waterbodies owned and or managed by the Water Industry sector. We achieve these activities through a variety of methods from electrofishing (using catch depletion eel specific survey techniques), to passive capture via eel traps and fyke nets. We trap elver for population assessment and monitor escapement using novel techniques involving multi beam sonar.
We are involved in the design and build of eel and elver passes and retrofit passes and carry out remedial works to passes that are substandard to improve eel passage. We deploy fish tracking technology to track eel movements on small and large spatial scales in rivers and large stillwaters and lakes and reservoirs. Our tagging team has extensive experience in this field, operating throughout the UK.
We translocate and introduce eel (with appropriate permits and health checks), and we are involved with academic research projects involving eel with a number of universities. With the appropriate permissions, we introduce elver into suitable habitats to 'seed' a location in order to boost eel populations in that area.
Fishtrack believe in adopting collaborative approaches, where practical to do so, to eel management and have a track record working with regulators and NGO's alike, usually on the same project for greater mutual benefit to all.
Our staff undertake data analysis and report production, for both internal consumption and as Water Industry response to regulators.
We provide advice and guidance on compliance and act as intermediary between regulators and the Water Industry when required to do so
