How resilient are canal fisheries to invasive species: a consideration of the ecological, legal, financial and practical aspects.

Away from my day job doing research in the NHS I enjoy fishing as a hobby and have a particular interest in the impact of invasive species. I'm delighted to say I presented a paper to the 49th Annual Conference of the Institute of Fisheries Management (click here for more details of the Institute) on 18th Oct 2018 in Hull, UK. Thought you might like to read this short paper. You can see the full presentation here and you can access the PhD thesis on impact of Zander here.

Abstract

The British canal system has an intrinsic historical and social worth. It also provides an important biodiversity and angling resource. Invasive species have been a challenge to the effective management of canal fisheries. Ensuring that these fisheries are resilient is a key objective for the Canal & River Trust.

This paper provides an overview of the numbers and types of invasive species, an assessment of impact and a review of fisheries management options. It also describes the range of factors that have to be considered when devising appropriate national policies.

 A detailed case study on the impact and management of Zander is provided. This introduced piscivorous fish has a significant negative impact on the fishery value of canals that are narrow and have high levels of boat traffic. Eradication of Zander is a theoretical possibility but not economically viable. The current approach is to limit the spread of zander. There is a legal requirement to remove the captured Zander, which is at odds with a small but steadily growing number of anglers who would like them returned as they are now valued by some as worthwhile fish to catch.

Canals and canal fishing are part of our heritage. Fishing on canals is important to anglers because it’s easily accessible, there’s plenty of fish to be caught and it doesn’t cost too much! Canals are great locations to introduce new blood to the sport – many hundreds of thousands of anglers from Ivan Marks to Rob Hughes started fishing on their local canal.

The Canal & River Trust (the Trust) manage most of the canal system in the UK. The Trust is a charity and exists to support the waterways and wellbeing. It brings to life 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England and Wales. It is based on the idea that waterways have the power to make a positive difference to our lives.

The Trust seeks to balance the needs of various stakeholders and this includes a statutory duty to provide fishing on cruising waterways. Fisheries contribute to the overall aim of “making life better by water for millions of people across England and Wales”. Eight million people live within 1 km of a canal and this close proximity supports the generation of new anglers, particularly children. 

Find out more information on angling and canals by clicking here.

You can access the extended conference abstract here (pages 48-53).