The trust will be conducting its first ever electro fishing survey this year and has put together a team of eight volunteers who thanks to E-Fish and Bill Beaumont are now fully trained and qualified to carry out these types of survey. The electro fishing team received training at our Low Barns office and are due to start collecting data this summer using the new E-Fish backpack system.

Each team member has completed an introductory and intermediate course, covering all aspects of electro fishing including health and safety, equipment, survey techniques, fish welfare and circuit theory. The first course was run in early June, by E-Fish who provided a thorough and interesting overview of how these surveys should be conducted. They also delivered our new backpack system and provided us with a great demonstration of how it is used along the Beechburn beck in the afternoon.

The second training course was brought to us by Bill Beaumont, who is a well known figure in the world of electro fishing. He has written numerous scientific papers and even wrote the Environment Agencies best practice guide, so we knew that after this course we would all be fully capable of collecting excellent quality data in a safe manner. The day provided us with a more in depth look into circuit theory and how electrical currents behave when passed through water. Bill bought a variety of different pieces of equipment to demonstrate their effectiveness in different conditions and really opened our eyes to what can be achieved during these surveys.

Our project officer, also received GIS training to interoperate data and will be utilising his new skills once the surveys have been completed. GIS will enable the trust to present data on maps which will then be used to present information to the public and stakeholders with regards to issues such as fish populations, invasive weeds, invertebrate surveys etc.

More volunteers will be needed throughout the whole of the catchment to help out with electro fishing surveys, so if you would like to get involved please drop Steve an email at steve.hudson@wear-rivers-trust.org.uk