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November 2024

Catchment news

 

West of England Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The new Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for the West of England was published on Thursday 7th November at the West of England Nature Partnership (WENP) conference. This is the first of 48 LNRSs to be launched that will cover the whole of England. They aim to target biodiversity net gain and nature-recovery actions by government and other public bodies, and to help landowners understand where and how they can make changes for nature on their land.

Read more about the new strategy here.

At the conference, WENP also launched their nine priority programmes which will support delivery of the priorities identified in the LNRS. One of the programmes is  ‘Restoring our rivers’ which aligns with the BACP’s Catchment Plan and Fish Recovery Strategy.

You can find out more about WENP's nine priority programmes on their brand new website here.

Credit @ Anna Barclay

 

Hinkley Point C - impact to fish position statement from BART

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) have published a position statement on the impact of EDF’s Hinkley Point C on fish populations. The statement sets aside the broader nuclear energy discussion to focus on a local but critical matter - EDF’s Hinkley Point C and the company’s efforts to remove essential safeguards designed to protect marine life in the Severn Estuary, including protected migratory fish species who need to access freshwater river catchments to fulfil their lifecycles.

BART’s stance, in common with that of the BACP, on the proposed removal of the Acoustic Fish Deterrent at Hinkley point C (HPC) is summarised as follows: 

  1. The AFD should still be installed as originally planned.
  2. Compensation and mitigation are necessary, regardless of whether the AFD is installed.
  3. Compensation efforts should address all affected fish species.
  4.  Saltmarsh restoration is highly valuable in its own right, but EDF’s inadequate engagement is undermining its perceived value to the public.
  5.  While saltmarsh benefits some fish species, it does little for migratory species like Atlantic salmon, Sea trout, European Eel and Twaite shad.
  6. Although EDF’s compensation package includes fish passage easements for the Severn, Usk, and Wye rivers, it neglects rivers closer to HPC, such as the Bristol Avon.

Read more about this here, or for any questions contact info@bristolavonriverstrust.org

 

Wessex Water's Partners Programme

Wessex Water have opened the next round of funding for their Partners Programme. This will provide funding for projects that conserve and enhance biodiversity, catchments, and the aquatic environment. Groups can now apply for one of four grants of £25,000 per annum for five years between 2025 and 2030. Applications close on 3rd January 2025.

Find out more about this opportunity here, or for any enquiries email BAP@wessexwater.co.uk

 

River Restoration on the Little Avon

In September, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) completed a restoration project on the Little Avon to sustainably manage and restore the river for wild fish. The project involved using felled wood and brash along the riverbank to increase the flow depth, encourage natural river processes, create diverse in-stream habitats, as well as provide refuge areas for juvenile fish. These plans were agreed following on from a river walkover with members of the Berkeley Fishing Syndicate earlier in the year.

The project was funded by the EA’s Fisheries Improvement Programme and the Berkeley Syndicate.

Find out more about this project here.

 

New Chief Executive at Avon Wildlife Trust

Avon Wildlife Trust have announced that Ian Barrett has stepped down as their Chief Executive after 8 years. Ian has made a huge contribution within the Bristol Avon during his time with Avon Wildlife Trust and we wish him the best of luck for the future and in his new role. Find out more here.

Nigel Wilson has recently joined their team as the new interim CEO. Nigel brings a wealth of experience having held senior positions with several different UK charities.  You can find out more here. Recruitment of the next permanent CEO for the Trust is underway, with a closing date of November 27th.

 

Fundraising for the Lower Chew Forest

Avon Needs Trees are raising money to fund phase one of the Lower Chew Forest project. This is part of a project to create the largest new woodland in the South West. It aims to increase habitat range, reduce flooding, and take action against climate change.

All donations up to £250 will be match-funded.

Discover more about this project here.

 

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Wider news

 

Reforming bathing water rules

Defra has launched a consultation inviting the public, community and environmental groups, farmers, businesses, and local authorities to share views on modernising bathing water regulations.
The proposals include:

  • Removal of fixed bathing water season dates (which currently runs from May to September) from the regulations to allow for a more flexible approach to monitoring, extending the dates of the bathing season to better reflect when people use bathing waters.
  • Expanding the legal definition of ‘bathers’ to include participants in water sports other than swimming, including paddle boarders and surfers.
  • Further considering water quality and public safety when applications for new bathing waters are assessed.
  • Introducing multiple testing points at bathing water sites.
  • Ending the automatic de-designation of bathing water status after 5 consecutive years of a site being rated ‘poor’, which can damage local tourism and businesses. Instead, underperforming sites will be individually reviewed by regulators, taking into account their unique circumstances.

More information on the consultation can be found here: Bathing water reforms to consider water sports and water quality - GOV.UK and you can respond here: Reforms to The Bathing Water Regulations 2013 - GOV.UK

 

The Green and Blue Infrastructure Mapping Project

Natural England have newly updated their Green Infrastructure map. The map displays all the green and blue spaces across England, with the latest version including content updates and several new data sets such as census data, inequalities in access to greenspace related to socio-economic factors, data to support nature recovery linked with the proportion of green cover in urban areas, and people’s perceptions of the local greenspace. These updates mean that the map content has quadrupled in content since its last released version. The creation of this map supports Natural England’s ‘Green Infrastructure Framework’, as well as the government’s commitment for everyone to live within a 15 minute walk of a green space.

Read more about this map here.

 

Salmon numbers at a record low 

The numbers of Salmon in England and Wales are at the lowest they have been since records began in 1956, according to data recently published by EA and Natural Resources Wales. In 2022 the total declared salmon catch was estimated at 6,952 fish, and in 2023 it has gone down to 5,399, an 18.8% reduction. Compared to the record high since the turn of the century, this figure is 80% lower than the 27,336 reported in 2004, with a general downward trend since then.

You can find out more in the report here. And in the data that is published here.

 

Digitally reporting water pollution

The Environment Agency (EA) have created a new online reporting system for members of the public to report water pollution. This will be used alongside the currently available phone hotline, to allow people more options to report their sightings. This upgrade is a part of several upcoming digital improvements to modernise the EA’s services. This new system is currently being tested by members of the public, and they hope to officially launch it next year.

Discover more about this new service here.