Head Office Press Office
- 28-Jun-2007 - Fishery experts, fish farmers
and fisheries managers from across England
and Wales have met with Environment Agency
fisheries scientists, as part of a review
into how the native wild brown trout population
can be protected, whilst continuing to stock
rivers to meet the demands of anglers, angling
clubs and fisheries owners.
"Stocking trout is a widely practised
and legitimate fishery management tool,
and many successful fisheries are regularly
stocked to improve catches, thereby increasing
the fishery value and creating benefits
for the local economy," explained Environment
Agency Fisheries Policy and Process Manager
Godfrey Williams.
"About one million brown trout are
released into rivers and lakes every year
in England and Wales. Most farmed fish have
been subject to long term domestication
and are bred for appearance and rapid growth
rates, but are not necessarily well suited
to survival in the wild. However, when released
into rivers some of these trout will breed
with wild stocks, potentially reducing the
viability of the population as a whole.
"We have a responsibility to make
sure the right policies are in place to
allow wild trout stocks and the fisheries
they support to thrive well into the future,
particularly given the predicted changes
to our climate. We are now analysing the
most up-to-date research and listening to
the advice of the leading experts in trout
fisheries management to decide whether or
not the current stocking policy needs tightening."
The seminar was attended by representatives
from many of the country’s leading fisheries
organisations and associations, including
the British Trout Association ,British Trout
Farmers Restocking Association, The Game
Conservancy Trust, the Salmon and Trout
Association, University of Hull International
Fisheries Institute, the Wild Trout Trust,and
Wiltshire Fisheries. Several fisheries consultants
also attended.
The review will take into account the findings
of several studies undertaken as part of
policy development within the Environment
Agency’s National Trout and Grayling Fisheries
Strategy. These studies include an in depth
review of the genetic impacts of stocking
on wild trout populations, and an investigation
into the performance of stocked triploid
and diploid trout and their effects on wild
fish. This latter study was carried out
in partnership with The Game Conservancy
Trust and part-funded by fishery owners.
For further information on the Environment
Agency’s National Trout and Grayling Fisheries
Strategy please visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish,
or contact your local Environment Agency
fisheries team. The draft policy proposals
on the future of brown trout stocking will
be on the website in October 2007 for anyone
to comment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Environment Agency regulate
stocking?
Stocking is a widely practised and legitimate
fishery management tool. Many successful
fisheries are regularly stocked to improve
catches, thereby increasing the fishery
value and potentially creating economic
benefits for local economy.
However, stocking is not without its risks.
Stocked fish can cause adverse and often
irreversible impact on native fish stocks
and the fisheries they support, as well
as on the general ecology of the river or
lake. These risks can arise from the transfer
of fish pathogens and diseases, competition
and predation by the stocked fish, changes
in aquatic plant diversity and accidental
introduction of unwanted non-native fish
species.
This is why anyone who wishes to stock
fish into rivers or lakes must first obtain
a consent from the Environment Agency. Further
information about how to obtain this consent
can be found www.efishbusiness.co.uk.
What is the current policy on brown trout
stocking?
At present, we continue to consent brown
trout stocking into native trout waters
where -
it is consistent with practice over the
five years from 1998 to 2003 (the objective
here is to avoid increasing stocking levels
of fertile diploid farm strain trout);
the stock fish are non-breeding triploid
females; or
the stock fish are derived from local,
naturally produced broodstock raised under
a suitable regime
These specific restrictions do not apply
to stocking trout into "other waters"
but you still need consent from the Agency
to stock there.
What are "native trout waters"
and where are they?
Native trout waters are those rivers and
lakes that have significant wild trout stocks,
either brown or sea trout, or where stocked
trout could have ready access to such waters.
The Environment Agency has designated the
areas using information from fish population
surveys and other local information. A list
and map of native trout waters is available
from your local Environment Agency office.
River reaches not classified as "native
trout waters" are labelled "other
waters".
I’ve heard of "wild fishery protection
zones" - what are they and how do they
differ from native trout waters?
Wild fishery protection zones are native
trout waters that are particularly important
for wild trout. They are where -
local fishery owners wish to avoid wild
fisheries being affected by stocked fish;
wild trout are considered genetically distinct
or evolutionarily important; or
where there are important trout and/or
salmon nursery or spawning areas, at risk
from unacceptable predation/competition
from stocked fish.
If, following consultation with local fisheries
interests, a reach is designated as a wild
fishery protection zone, then we will not
allow further stocking in that reach.
What about rainbow trout?
We only allow rainbow trout to be stocked
into waters where there is a history of
doing so to sustain a fishery or where it
can be demonstrated that rainbow trout are
the preferred environmental option.
Why is the Environment Agency reviewing
its trout stocking policies?
When we introduced the policy of limiting
further diploid trout stocking in native
trout waters, this was based on an initial
assessment of a) the risks posed to the
genetic diversity of wild trout; and b)
the suitability of triploid trout as a potential
alternative. We promised to review the policy
in 2006, to see if there was any need to
impose greater restrictions on the use of
fertile, farm strain fish.
The review will take account of evidence
coming out of several studies which have
been conducted in the meantime. These studies
include an in depth review of the genetic
impacts of stocking on wild trout populations;
and an investigation into the performance
of stocked triploid and diploid trout and
their effects on wild fish. This latter
study was carried out in partnership with
the Game Conservancy Trust and part-funded
by fishery owners.
Why do you restrict stocking with farm strain
diploid brown trout?
Wild brown trout show considerable genetic
variation, so that fish in one river can
be genetically distinct from those in a
neighbouring river. Farmed fish, on the
other hand, have been derived from only
a few wild stocks and show much greater
genetic conformity. Where farmed diploid
trout are released into the wild, they can
interbreed with native trout. Where studies
have looked at the genetic make-up of wild
brown trout in rivers stocked with farmed
fish, they have commonly found some degree
of introduction of farm strain genes. This
has potentially damaging consequences for
the abundance and fitness of the population.
Why are wild strain trout and genetic diversity
important?
From a conservation viewpoint, wild trout
and the considerable natural genetic variation
they exhibit contribute to biodiversity.
In signing up to the Rio Convention on Biodiversity,
the UK government recognised that action
must be taken to halt the global loss of
animal and plant species and genetic resources,
and that each country has the primary responsibility
to conserve and enhance biodiversity within
its own jurisdiction.
From an angling viewpoint, wild brown trout
provide a valuable angling resource. Most
trout anglers, when questioned, said they
would prefer to fish for wild fish. Furthermore,
different strains of wild brown trout take
on different physical appearances. This
adds to the attraction of fishing for this
species.
Maintaining natural genetic integrity also
means our trout stocks are well equipped
to face the potentially rapid environmental
changes that we might see over the course
of this century as a result of climate change.
Why worry about genetic integrity? Stocking
is so widespread and has occurred for so
long that there are no truly "wild"
brown trout left.
This is not the case. There is no evidence
of widespread and dramatic alteration in
genetic diversity within and between trout
populations in England and Wales compared
to other areas with little or no supplemental
stocking. This does not mean stocking has
no effect and the longer it is carried out,
the greater the chance of genetic changes
occurring. These changes can result in a
reduced fitness and abundance of the wild
population.
Why are trout stocked out as fry or the
fry derived from incubator boxes stocked
with hatchery derived eggs a concern? They
may have been produced naturally and/or
subject to the same evolutionary pressures
as wild fish.
The effects on wild trout stocks occurs
when farm-strain trout survive and interbreed
with wild brown trout to produce hybrids,
and these hybrids can then breed with the
wild population in subsequent generations.
These second (or later) generation hybrids
have lower survival and reproductive success
than purely wild trout; this results in
a lowering of fitness in the river-bred
trout population and hence fewer wild bred
fish available for angling and breeding.
Where younger life stages of farmed fish
are stocked, these may produced adult fish
with apparently more natural characteristics.
Although the vast majority of stocked eggs,
fry or parr will not survive to adulthood,
those that do are likely to have been more
competitive and generally fitter individuals.
However, these fish are genetically of farmed
origin and if they are able to interbreed
with wild fish pose the same risk of introducing
these genes into the wild population. .
If farm strain diploid fish pose such a
threat, what is the evidence that they are
impacting wild stocks in England and Wales?
It is difficult to clearly demonstrate
an impact. However, the available evidence
suggests where stocking does occur it results
in genes derived from farm-strain fish being
introduced into the wild fish population.
Even though stocking has been carried out
in some rivers for over a century, this
is a short period in evolutionary terms
and it is inherently difficult to confirm
the exact level of damage that may have
already taken place. However, with predicted
rapid changes to our environment, it is
important that we conserve the natural diversity
of our wild trout stocks, so that they are
best placed to meet this challenge.
Don’t the progeny of fertile farmed fish
contribute to the spawning stock and thereby
support vulnerable wild populations?
Hybridisation between wild and farm-strain
fish reduces the abundance of river-bred
fish by lowering the fitness of the population.
The spawning of fertile farmed fish in the
river is therefore potentially counterproductive
in terms of increasing the numbers of fish
resulting from natural spawning.
In any case, where rivers do support wild
fish, it is more probable that poor or inaccessible
habitat is likely to be the major constraint
on spawning success and juvenile survival
success. If adult wild fish are present
and able to spawn, they are likely to produce
enough progeny to fill the available juvenile
habitats. If natural spawning is possible,
simple measures to control exploitation
of potential broodstock should enable the
wild component of the stock to recover.
Where there is limited or inaccessible spawning
habitat, longer-term efforts to by fishery
owners and the Environment Agency should
deliver more sustainable returns.
What are triploid trout?
Triploid animals and plants have three
sets of chromosomes, rather than the usual
two (ie. diploid). Triploid trout are the
progeny of diploid fish. However, at an
early stage of development, the eggs are
treated using temperature and/or pressure
changes to produce progeny with an extra
set of chromosomes. This renders them infertile.
Triploid trout are not genetically modified
in the common understanding of the term,
ie. they do not contain genes added from
other animal or plant species. For economic
reasons, most farmed rainbow trout are triploid.
Other triploid products include bananas,
Bramley apples and watermelons.
The process to produce female triploid
trout can be up to 100% successful.
Why don’t triploid trout pose the same threat
as diploid trout?
Because female triploid trout are infertile,
they are incapable of interbreeding with
wild fish and, hence, the threat of genetic
mixing is removed. Additionally, female
triploids do not assume the characteristic
spawning behaviour of fertile fish and,
hence, do not interfere with spawning wild
trout.
What is the likely outcome of the review?
Will you insist triploid-only stocking in
the future, remove any restrictions or ban
trout stocking altogether?
We have only just initiated the review
and it is far to early to comment on possible
outcomes. We are taking advice from our
own and external fishery scientists, the
fish farming industry and fishery owners.
Only after this will we be in a position
to determine whether a change is necessary.
Any decision to change the current policy
will follow public consultation with fish
farming and fishery interests. Any change
will need time to introduce, as we will
need to give an appropriate lead-in time
to allow farms and fisheries to adjust,
should this be necessary. We anticipate
completion of the review by early 2008.
+ More
Environment Agency steps up West Midlands
rod licence checks
Lyn Fraley - 25-Jun-2007 - Anglers fishing
without a valid rod licence in the West
Midlands could land a fine this weekend
as the Environment Agency steps up patrols
at fisheries in Birmingham, Coventry and
across Warwickshire.
In Stoke-on-Trent last weekend 420 anglers
were subject to rod licence checks. We caught
25 fishing without a licence and these anglers
now face prosecution and potential fines
of up to £2,500.
Fisheries team leader Phil Wormald said
"Rod licence money is used to increase
access to angling for everyone, protect
fish stocks and improve habitat for fish.
Fishing without a rod licence is illegal
and robs conscientious anglers of a better
fishing environment. If we catch people
fishing without a valid licence we’ll see
them in court."
Rod licences
Anyone aged 12 years or over who fishes
for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels
in England and Wales is required by law
to have an Environment Agency Rod Fishing
Licence. Rod licences differ from permits
(often referred to as tickets or day tickets)
which give permission to fish a particular
water or waters and are issued by fishery
owners.
The onus in law is for the angler to prove
he was licenced to fish at the time of the
incident. If he fails to do so, he is liable
to be convicted for the offence of fishing
with an unlicensed instrument.
A rod licence entitles you to fish with
up to two rods and line at the same time
for coarse fish and eels, but with only
one rod and line for trout, sea trout, char
and salmon. Always check club rules and
local byelaws regarding the rod limit on
the water you intend to fish. Additional
licences are required if you fish with more
rods, where byelaws and rules permit.
You can buy Full, Junior, 8-day and 1-day
licences from our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
You can also buy a rod licence from any
Post Office in England and Wales, or on
our telephone sales line: 0870 1662 662.
From March to October the telephone line
is open 8 am - 8pm every day, and sells
all licence types.
Money from the sale of licences helps to
fund our work managing fisheries. If you
are caught fishing without one, you are
cheating other anglers and could be fined
up to £2,500.
